The Kid Who Brags

[Unregistered]

This is really just a pet peeve of mine. It's no big deal, but I'm curious if anyone else runs into this and what they do.

I have a dcb who always has to "one up" everyone. So if a dck comes in excited that he went on a boat the previous day, this dcb says, "I went on 2 boats!" And then loudly makes up a story that is not true, never allowing the first kid to tell the story. Basically he wants to be the only kid who ever has fun outside of daycare. It drives me nuts, because I like to talk about what everyone has done.

[Controlled Chaos]

I would worry less about the bragging and more about the interupting. "Oh! Tony was telling us a story. Sam, I need you to wait until Tony is done and then you can tell us your story."

We work on taking turns with talking a lot here. At meals I really focus on it. I ask each child one short question "what is your favorite fruit Tom?" Then I have Tom ask Sally etc. I would ignore the brags and just smile and maybe a "that's nice". Not interrupting is a teachable manners related skill.

[CalCare]

I say, "You're telling us you went on Two boats." Then the next kid talks. The child saying everything about themself is the ultimate, just wants to be heard. Just try it and see if it has a good outcome . Whatever they say, just say, "You're telling us you run the fastest... live in the trees... go to the zoo everyday... etc" whatever it is in a matter of fact response. I don't mean in a questioning or doubtful way or "yeah right" sarcastic way. Just state 'you're telling us xxx. Then what? He can't carry on an argument with you. Example if you had instead said, "Johnny, you didnt go in two boats, stop saying silly stuff." Then he would want to argue- 'no, I did', etc. If you lecture or try to correct it then he will possibly try to test the boundry: "Johnny, I want you to stop saying you were the fastest, had all the boat rides, etc, you are upsetting the other children and it just isn't true" leads to further, more exaggerated claims or perhaps he forgets that he was corrected and from habit he brags again and now there is this weird dynamic like are you supposed to give some sort of consequence and if so, what would that be? So, really I think, just try it out to reflect back what you hear: "Johnny, you said you live in a zoo." Without commentary - not 'j, you said you live in a zoo, how interesting!' because that is inviting more discussion. Just make it known that we heard what you said Johnny good luck!

[Josiegirl]

I have kind of the same kid here. He interrupts to tell his story, corrects everybody, tells us that he knows basically everything about whatever it is we're talking about.
He's a major exaggerator and still tells lies after all these years. So we all take everything he says with a grain of salt.

[Play Care]

You've gotten some great ideas for handling it.

I have his twin here during the school year. It does bother me a bit because I really love my guy, and the stuff he brags about is so obviously not true that I suspect some of the other kids will start teasing him or avoiding him at school
In my case the school has FINALLY started pushing for evals and I am hopeful he will finally get the support he needs (I suspect the bragging goes hand in hand with some of his other issues)
Hope you find something that works for you!

[Cat Herder]

Sometimes these kids are passively ignored at home unless they come up with a story/injury/illness that is exciting enough to pull the adult away from whatever they are doing the majority of the kids awake time.

Video games, siblings, phone calls, online classes, coping with depression, bad marriage, family illness, etc. It is rarely intentional, but it happens. Sometimes it is temporary, sometimes they need help.

It was discussed in our emotional neglect class. They suggested doing a blank book story time daily as part of the kids individual curriculum. Open a blank card and tell part of a story, pass it off and let the kid tell the other half, then to the next kid.... around and around.

It gives them an outlet, attention, an audience and gives you time to evaluate whether or not the family may need some supports.

[laundrymom]

This is an awesome theory and a great idea for combating it.
I have two here who I KNOW go home and sit on the couch until dinner w an iPad and after dinner they watch tv in their rooms until lights out.
They CRAVE attention.
Mom and dad dont understand why I get great, helpful behaviors and they get the shaft.
Two separate families.
Sad thing, one is 3. One just turned 2.

Sometimes these kids are passively ignored at home unless they come up with a story/injury/illness that is exciting enough to pull the adult away from whatever they are doing the majority of the kids awake time.

Video games, siblings, phone calls, online classes, coping with depression, bad marriage, family illness, etc. It is rarely intentional, but it happens. Sometimes it is temporary, sometimes they need help.

It was discussed in our emotional neglect class. They suggested doing a blank book story time daily as part of the kids individual curriculum. Open a blank card and tell part of a story, pass it off and let the kid tell the other half, then to the next kid.... around and around.

It gives them an outlet, attention, an audience and gives you time to evaluate whether or not the family may need some supports.

[daycarediva]

I would worry less about the bragging and more about the interupting. "Oh! Tony was telling us a story. Sam, I need you to wait until Tony is done and then you can tell us your story."

We work on taking turns with talking a lot here. At meals I really focus on it. I ask each child one short question "what is your favorite fruit Tom?" Then I have Tom ask Sally etc. I would ignore the brags and just smile and maybe a "that's nice". Not interrupting is a teachable manners related skill.

and when it's his turn I would let him tell whatever it is he wanted to.

[Unregistered]

OP Here. I haven't been harsh on him, or accused him of lying or anything. It seems like an attention grab, so I usually just, "Yeah? You went on 2 boats?" Then I go back to the original dck.

All good advice here though, dcb is a good kid, just feustrating in this respect. Why can't they all be perfect? Haha!