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Moody 4 yr old?

thanxbabythanxbaby member
in Pre-School and Daycare
For example, today we went to story time fir 26 yr olds and DD just turned 4. At the end all the kids sat at a table and colored a picture that was related to the story but DD refused to go near the tables and had a scowl on her face, I finally got her to join by telling her I would color too and she just sat there while 2 yr olds are out coloring her. Finally get her to color by being playful and helping her and she has the biggest scowl on her face and colors in the same spot over and over while not even looking at her paper. It kinda embarrassed me that 20 or so kids many younger than her were all coloring and having fun while she looked pissed and just sat there. I also had a fussy 5 month old on my lap so I said lets go and finish it at home. This is so typical of DD when asked to color for some reason, it even starts temper tantrums at home. What would you do in this situation, this doesn't seem like typical behavior at this age to me? I feel like there might be something going on sensory related with her but I just can't put my finger on it, she has always been sort of rough and always on the go, not the best sleeper, occasionally walks on toes does it for a few seconds at a time thenwalks on feet most of time,pedi wasnt worried about it at 3 yr apptincreasing tantrums and outbursts lately, seems to get anxious with transitions this is where she typically gets excited and a little roughand certain social situations. I have also seen this moody behavior in many other activities, she gets frustrated right away and wants to quit. I feel like tantrums and the frustration should be decreasing by now not the opposite. There are days where I really feel something is not right then she has a great day and I tell myself everything must be fine. She does seem to have difficulty expressing her emotions too.

I think the moodiness worries me since there are some family members on DH's side with bipolar.

Am I over thinking this or does it seem like something to bring up to the pedi?
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Re: Moody 4 yr old?

  • KathrynMDKathrynMD member

    maybe she's just not into coloring?

    Is she in any of kind of daycare/preschool setting w/ other kids regularly?

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  • thanxbabythanxbaby member
    It's not just coloring it's pretty much anything I suggest doing other than pretend play that she puts up a fight and becomes moody/gets frustrated easily. Some more examples are sidewalk chalk, painting, riding her bike, games after playing them and getting frustrated she refuses to play them again. Honestly, all the pretend play is becoming exhausting when that's all she wants to do. I tried making rainbow rice with her and she became moody and stormed off because she thought shaking rice in a baggy was too difficult! She's very good with her hands though and learned how to button and zip easily, lacing, etc so what gives? She also gets upset/moody when we play Xbox we got her several fun games and she refuses to play or becomes moody when we play hoping she will join in, the few times she has tried she gives up if she doesnt do it just right or needs tons of praise to keep her going and I think a pattern I'm seeing with her is maybe anxiety with trying new things or doing something that caused frustration in the past.

    She will be starting her second her of preschool soon. Last year she would do the bare minimum when it came to arts and crafts and would ask to be done, so she would comply but as little as she could get away with.
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  • zoe_catzoe_cat

    Some of your description sounds just like my DD.  Word for word about not joining in with the coloring at story time and scowling about it.  That happened numerous times over the summer.  She wouldn't color unless I sat right there and colored with her, but that is really tricky for me when I'm wrangling my squirmy one year old that gets into everything.  For my DD this behavior results from being extremely shy/anxious.  My DD is also the same way about pretend play.  I will suggest a million other activities (board games, play doh, riding bikes, etc.) and all she ever wants to do is pretend play with me (which is great but I can only handle so much in a day).

    Anyway, I think 4 year olds can me a moody bunch and nothing that you wrote raises any huge red flags for me, but of course I'm not an expert.  DH's side of the family has a history of mental illness, so I totally get being worried about the bipolar aspect.  Mentioning it to your pedi is not a bad idea, but this very well could just be a phase that she'll grow out of.  Good luck, I know how frustrating and worrisome it can be!

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