"I caaaann't"

catycate

DS is 2.5 and is going through what I hope is a phase of saying "I can't" for everything. "I can't build the legos, I can't climb up, I can't color xyx" I'm not sure where it is coming from- DH and I certainly try to instill that he can do it, he can do anything, but DS insists he can't to the point of tears. Some of the things are things I know he can do, such as building with the Legos and climbing on his climber. Some of the things are things like coloring a specific thing, which is hard for him, but I always praise and talk about whatever he does put on the paper. Phase? Suggestions on how o boost his confidence to try?

notreallyirish

Loppy19 said:

My DD is the same age and she does this as well, so I'm hoping it's a stage. We encourage her to do it, and if she is getting upset about it then I help her.

For example she has a puzzle that is a little harder than she's used to and she will say "Mommy I CAN'T do it" (despite the fact that she has several times). I will encourage her to keep trying and if she keeps saying it then I will ask her if she needs help. If she says yes, I just grab a piece and ask her where it goes and talk about it for a minute and help her figure it out. She usually does the rest herself once she gets past that hurdle.

DS does this as well. I think a lot of times it's that he wants attention or for someone to play with him. If I think that is his tactic and I'm too busy to help I just tell him if its too hard he needs to do something else. If it is genuinely too hard he will move on. If not, he usually goes ahead and does whatever he said he couldn't.