Moms of 3 year olds....question about skills/development

calico77

I have noticed lately that my 3 yo DS has been having trouble following directions when locating things that are right in front of him. 

Yesterday he was looking for his play doh which was in a little blue tub literally at his eye level right in front of him.  I told him from the next room (I could see everything) to look for the little blue box in the cabinet.   He headed to the end table and looked around.  Then I directed him to look above the movies (VHS) in the cabinet.  Still didn't get it and looked around the room more.  He finally got it after multiple attempts on my part of trying to describe where it was.   I intentionally did not go help him because this is exactly what I was concerned about so I wanted to see again what/how he was trying to do/process this.

 He has no problems when I say "Go put your shoes on and then go potty" or "Put your legos in the bucket so we don't trip over them."  Maybe these are more specific tasks???

 Should I be concerned about this?  The items he are looking for are literally right in front of him and he can't find them with oral direction from me.  I wonder about his eyesight b/c DH is far sighted and I am nearsighted (blind as a bat!) but I really don't think that is the problem.  It seems he has problems processing what I am telling him.

His mid-year report from preschool was excellent.  It was a check plus, check and then check minus system.  He only got one check minus in either stringing beads or staying in his seat at lunch (no problems at home/eating out with this so I don't know why he has issues there--maybe he is a social butterfly). And one check in dressing self (said shoes/jacket) and the rest were all check plusses in all different domains (social, gross motor, etc).

 

Temp970088312507122

I hope it's normal because DD does the exact same thing. I'll tell her to grab her hat that is right in front of her. She''ll say "huh? where?" Me: "Right in front of you" Her: *spins in a circle, looking everywhere BUT right in front of her*

It happens ALL THE TIME.

Littlejen22

Yeah, I think we are going to have years of this.  Seriously I think teens are just as bad about this stuff - just think about, Mom where is my homework?  Totally normal.

xbrooklyngrl

I don't know, sometime I'll tell Brooke something is right there on the counter and she walks past it 30 times and says "where". I really don't see it as an issue.

Could it possibly be his sight?

DandR

ditto everyone else.  My almost 3 year old will be staring straight at something and say "where mommy??"  I think sometimes they just really want us to help or something.

Marce921

It's a man thing! LOL My DH and DS are the same way. I'm pretty sure it's normal.

Dimplz

DS does this all the time. It's very funny and frustrating at the same time!

stacynikki

If I ask DS to get something for me and I have to give him directions on where it is, all I hear is "What?  What?  What?"  While he spins in circles.  I'm glad you posted this because I was beginning to think I didn't have the brightest tool in the shed.  He's smart but lacks common sense.  I guess all three year olds do! 

Angela814

DD does the same thing. I'd say it's totally normal. I know I do the same thing on occassion. Sometimes the hardest thing to find is right in front of me.