Concerned about my extremely active toddler...

MissLMS

My DD is almost 22 months old and is extremely active and has, most of the time, a very short attention span.

She's a very happy child and when it comes to certain things, like reading books before bedtime or watching Dora, she's very into it. But for the most part during the day, she's climbing on everything she can get her hands on, trying to open doors (we have baby-safe doorknob covers for this reason) and basically tears through the house like a tornado. Everywhere we go, people comment on how active she is.

(We go to a weekly kindermusik class and while the other kids are following directions and playing simple instruments, my daughter is often the one looking at posters on the walls, trying to peel up the carpet or even trying to leave the room.)

Anyone else experience something like this or have an active toddler? Any tips? Is this normal?

I wonder if we should have a specialist meet with her? I'm also considering putting her in a half-day preschool program so that she has more of a structured environment during the week. Currently, she goes to an in-home sitter 3 days a week.

Mrs.Saxy

yep, at our 3 yr check up our pedi told me we have a "very busy" boy.

It's normal for us.  I'm not sure what a specialist could do to her.  IMO they're just discovering things and tyring to figure out things on their own.

We have used time out A LOT! 

readyin07

We definitely could have written this post a few months ago and my friend is struggling with the same thing with her daughter right now. When I have talked to  resource professionals about my DS, some say it's just the age, some say it can't hurt to be evaluated. Is she absorbing what goes on in the class? I know with my DS, he would seem not to be paying attention, but he would come home and repeat the songs or movements so I know he was still absorbing what was going on which our teacher thought was more important than him sitting and watching what was going on quietly. Other tips I've gotten (on here) is to sit and pay attention in class like it is the most fascinating thing while she does her own thing (obviously as long as she's safe and not being disruptive). And also to really sit with her and do things at home. I know sometimes I will sit and play with DS for a minute then jump up to check my email, get dinner started, wipe down the table so I was not providing the best example. I also have friends who said their child was the exact same way until they started school and being in that environment and watching how other children "behave" helped them.

Ciconrad

Sounds similar to my son at that age.  At his 2 year pedi appt, I brought it up and even mentioned ADHD.  Our pedi laughed at me (in a nice way) and told me he's just a busier than normal 2 year old.  She said she won't even discuss ADHD until age 4 and said most kids will start to calm down between ages 2 and 3.  She was right...he's really calmed down since the summer.  He's still more active than most kids but he listens much better and has even started sitting for 20-30 minute stretches to do puzzles or color.   He waits his turn in gym class and will calmly wait in line for turns now.  He's much better!!!

 

momtoRaegan041008

We started going to the library about 5 months ago.  At first, my daughter would just sit there, now she thinks it's cool to get up and go get a drink out of the drinking fountain every 5 seconds.  I finally had to explain to her that we have to sit with mommy/daddy and listen to the story.  At home, she is a wild child.  She will eat for maybe 5 mintues and then she off on her tricycle riding around the house.  Sometimes she runs circles around the island in the kitchen.  She will sit and play, but it's not very long.  I think some children are just active children.  You can sign your child up for preschool, but honestly, at this age it's not age appropriate for a child to just sit all day and do work.  They are exploring their environments and learning through play.  That's what they do; they are children.  I think maybe around 6 or 7 if your child can't sit still, then yes, you might have to look into it a little more. 

wheelsonthebus

My DS is the same way. We go to the library and all of the other kids are playing with toys or looking at books. DS is trying to escape the children's room or climb the stairs in the main area of the library. The toys in our home are mainly used for throwing, stomping, or rolling on. He would rather try to scale the living room sofa to play with the light switch. My ds is always the one yanking things off the wall.

LoveEeyore

If you REALLY felt inclined, now's the time to get in for free testing (I believe the cut off is 3) and services if you wanted to have her evaluated for sensory processing issues.  But kids rarely perform the same in an assessment setting as they do in their functional lives.

That said, she sounds perfectly normal to me.  My DD's "boyfriend" just went through this- their teacher kinda suggested to her that she have him evaluated by CHildfind because of his wildness.  He is very active.  He is also non compliant and refuses to pay attention to even little activities we have on playdates.  On a rare occasion he'll answer a question or two, or sit long enough to eat 1/2 a sandwich.  When he's tired he runs wild throwing and knocking things over and the list goes on.

While I still believe he may have some auditory processing difficulties, he breezed through every assessment they threw at him.  I think the range of "normal" is vast as little ones and then sharply inhales narrow as they enter school.  If you were my dear friend, I would say relax and try to feed off that energy.  I personally would hold off on preschool until the fall.  I think kids that go to school too early fail to reap many of the benefits school-ready kids get.  Sounds like you're doing a great job.  The only thing oi might add is more physical activity- like daily swimming at the community center?  Soccer at the local community center?

WiggleBaby

that is how my DD is... i never thought about it being a problem!  just toddlerhood!

we go to multiple classes (i am a SAHM) and she rarely if ever sits still.  just recently we've had success with Play Doh...

my house is always trashed at the end of the day.  i try to get her to help clean up, but it depends on her mood, she is usually already off to the next activity!  i agree though that it might not be the best time for preschool... you don't want to force it if she's not ready yet.  i think it's normal to be hyper right now, they are just so curious to learn new things and explore their environment!  i always thought that was healthy... but i'm no doctor 

abergale

At our 2 yr visit the Dr tried to give us tips to help DD burn some energy because he was surprised at what an active child she is. She goes to DC and when I am not around she is perfect! For us she saves all her special behavior. She isn't destructive and doesn't try to walk away because really early if we were in public and wanted to walk she held my hand or I carried her or strapped her in the stroller. IT is not easy. Especially when you have friends that don't have active childrem

WifeofaMarine

I could have written this exact post about my son who will be 2.5 in March. He is VERY active. I know people say that all toddlers are active, but everyone I know who has kids his age or older kids who were once his age tell me they have never seen a more active toddler. He is also into everything, climbing on everything and tearing through the house like a tornado. At this point, I know its too early to know whether he's just a very active toddler or whether he'll have ADHD like I have (was diagnosed at age 5), and which I suspect DH has but was never diagnosed.