Quick question about my 3 year old

EVA116

So I am a little concerned that she is obessed with letters and numbers. She puts the letters and numbers in order and then wants to spell things or make bigger numbers. I hope this isn't coming off as an AW, she does this all.the.time. Almost obsessive. She gets upset if a letter gets out of place. She loves superwhy and watches them sing the alphabet over and over again.

So I guess my question is: Do/Did your three year olds become obsessed with something for a while and then turn to something new?

 

 

scoutkate

I really feel like most of B's weird toddler obsessions kind of petered out before age 2.5 or so.  She definitely has interests and preferences, some of which she is very enthusiastic about, but I wouldn't describe her attitude towards them as obsessive.

It's probably just toddler weirdness, but if it concerns you, it wouldn't hurt to bring this up to her pedi at her next well check.

EVA116

@susanb887 that is what I was thinking. This started to happen once she started watching Superwhy. Now all she wants to do is spell.

EVA116

@scoutkate My pedi already said she is a 'sensative kid.' She stopped her speech and OT therapy almost a year ago. I have anxiety and doc thinks she has it too. Her OT said that she thinks she is a pretty anxious kid as well.

I just worry (obviously with my anxiety )

EVA116

I did not mean to do laughy face

EVA116

She could have a little cabin fever too.

fancynewbeesly

Not much help here---Reese has been obsessed with letters since about 18/19 months. Unfortunately in our house it hasn't improved much. She did add puzzles to the obsession though. I am hoping that it is because we are house bound that she is still obsessing but i don't think so. 

She loves super why! She was able to recognize the alphabet before 2 years old; and now can recognize the lower case and is starting to "get" that each letter makes a different sound. She definitely has other interests, so she isn't hyper focused on the alphabet--but she just loves her letters and puzzles. 

EVA116

@starearedkid That is how DD was at her age too. We have moved on to bigger puzzles and spelling (as I mentioned). I know that therapy has a lot to do with all this because that it what they used to improve her speech. I think that is why she loves books as well.

EVA116

Ugh the bigger puzzles and spelling thing sounded AW. I really am not trying to do that.

taggiecb

They're two they're four they're six they're eight.  Shunting trucks and hauling freight....

Nope, not obsessions going on here....

kmm2150

I'm no expert but I know something else I've read about is kids finding some way to have control over something in their environment, whether it's toys, puzzles, whatever and really finding pleasure/fulfillment/satisfaction in those activities. I know DD (2) loves playing with a baby doll right now and will "tuck in" the baby and straighten blankets for very long stretches of time getting it just right.

taggiecb

Also, my oldest was obsessed with transformers for about 3 years, and moved on to LEGO for the last few years.  And DS2 was obsessed with sorting things (which may be closer to what you are dealing with)

EVA116

Thank guys. I do feel better.

billybumbler

kmm2150 and say that it's probably a control issue. Small children love being able to accomplish things by themselves and also control things. She's found something she's good at and which she can control and that's probably why she does it over and over again.

RayRay007

Toddlers are weird. They are OCD and controlling and not very flexible sometimes. Like the phone example above, DD thinks things have to go a certain way every time. Like the blue towel has to go on this hook, not that hook, because that's how I did it once. I just try to tell her it doesn't matter and she's usually "oh ok mom". Now if she's throwing huge fits because a letter is missing and you think there's a problem, I'd mention it at a well visit. But I wouldn't take her to a shrink right meow, because I think generally these things are pretty normal with toddlers and they grouw out of it (but your reaction is key I think). 

JSNoto

I've chalked it up to early onset OCD. . 

fancynewbeesly

@eva116

I was looking for harder puzzles for DD--she completed the 12 piece jigsaw puzzle by Melissa and Doug no problem--I stumbled on this. I thought you might be interested in it. 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/toys-games-see-spell-boards/25237754?ean=9780641720574

I know you said your DD loves letters and spelling. 

littlestjerry

This thread makes me feel a little better because, after our long car ride where DS literally listened to Wrecking Ball and We Can't Stop like 55 times (this is not remotely an exaggeration), I was honestly worried something was wrong with him.

EVA116

fredalina said:

The only concern is MAYBE autism. A lot of kids on spectrum become obsessed with letters and numbers and are more OCD. But then, that's a lot of toddlers period. Are there any other warning signs? If not, I wouldn't be concerned.

She already went through lots of therapy. Speech, developmental and OT. They are concluded that she did not have autism but I know it can show up later.

EMOmamma

DS goes through phases - for a while it was colors, he learned about the rainbow and crayons, Legos, even food, NEEDED to be in color order. Now he doesn't care about colors but when he puts his trains together they have a certain order. (He has mild SPD but I think this is more normal toddler stuff)

EVA116

EMOmamma said:

DS goes through phases - for a while it was colors, he learned about the rainbow and crayons, Legos, even food, NEEDED to be in color order. Now he doesn't care about colors but when he puts his trains together they have a certain order. (He has mild SPD but I think this is more normal toddler stuff

SPD is why A was in OT therapy.