categorizing, lining up, etc.

star1123 · January 2013

Aiden, in the last week or two, has been into lining up his toys. Not even in a super particular way. Sometimes it's more like he just groups all of the toys together. For example, he will put all of his toy animals together, then his cars, then super heroes and do that. Or, he will occasionally put his animals in a straight line. He doesn't care if I move one, or do something else with it. It seems like he likes to put them all together, then name them all, or sometimes will pretend to count them.

I asked Aiden's therapist about it, and she said it's very typical behavior at this age, and not a concern because he plays with the toys in a functional way, too.

This sort of stuff has always freaked out out slightly, so just curious if anyone else's toddler is doing this lately? I'm not overly concerned because he is about to be dismissed from his special instruction therapist, and she said he has no other delay than a slight speech issue, so that comforts me.

pitterpatter129 · January 2013

Yes, N likes to do that too. He lines up all his toys and catagorizes. It's a good thing! They are developing early math and science skills!

Edit: Category has an e. It's bugging me I spelled it wrong!

star1123 · January 2013

pitterpatter129:
Yes, N likes to do that too. He lines up all his toys and catagorizes. It's a good thing! They are developing early math and science skills!

Lol! Oh, good because DH and me are terrible at math and science, so I will fully support that!

Kellina · January 2013

ALL kids do this, at least to some extent. DS1 would throw a coniption fit if a blanket on the couch wasn't in the same spot as the night before... Even now, he wigs out if you move something for him when its time to pick up. He'll put it back where it was, THEN pick it up. OCD, much?

star1123 · January 2013

That makes me feel a lot better.

Aiden seems to freak if we do something "wrong" while playing with him. If he's playing with his super heroes or farm animals and me or DH move one that apparently he didn't want moved...all hell breaks loose!

Kellina · January 2013

star1123:
That makes me feel a lot better.
Aiden seems to freak if we do something "wrong" while playing with him. If he's playing with his super heroes or farm animals and me or DH move one that apparently he didn't want moved...all hell breaks loose!

My 4yr old cried hysterically off & on for over an hour b/c we lost a disc from a little disc shooting thing. (it went down a vent!) We have SEVEN more of them, but he flipped out b/c he lost ONE. OMG. And my little one freaks when his magnetic trains fall apart... Every single time... Which is every 5 minutes... Good lordy!!

xxbabycakesxx · January 2013

G always lines up his cars or puts the same small toys together in piles. I'm sure its normal and common.

star1123 · January 2013

Kellina:
star1123:
That makes me feel a lot better.
Aiden seems to freak if we do something "wrong" while playing with him. If he's playing with his super heroes or farm animals and me or DH move one that apparently he didn't want moved...all hell breaks loose!
My 4yr old cried hysterically off & on for over an hour b/c we lost a disc from a little disc shooting thing. (it went down a vent!) We have SEVEN more of them, but he flipped out b/c he lost ONE. OMG. And my little one freaks when his magnetic trains fall apart... Every single time... Which is every 5 minutes... Good lordy!!

Oh yes! Us too with the train coming apart. Aiden now will yell "APART APART APART!" the second they come undone.

jnicolen1 · January 2013

Not only normal but a good skill to have. He is learning what things have in common, what makes a group. In fact, many kids need to be taught this skill in speech therapy. Then they talk about how things are the same or different.

Now If all hell brakes loose every time something is out of line or off schedule... That is of some concern. But I don't see that in this situation.

lrn327 · January 2013

Actually C doesn't do this much so I was always a little worried (but not really that much) that he doesn't. It's perfectly normal OP!

bosha711 · January 2013

Yes, DS does this all the time with his trains & cars. He's even done it with his sippy cups.

The other night he lined up his trains, told me they were a family & asked me to take their picture, lol...so I did, of course!

Cheekers2010 · January 2013

lrn327:
Actually C doesn't do this much so I was always a little worried (but not really that much) that he doesn't. It's perfectly normal OP!

Me, too.

Kellina · January 2013

bosha711:
Yes, DS does this all the time with his trains & cars. He's even done it with his sippy cups.
The other night he lined up his trains, told me they were a family & asked me to take their picture, lol...so I did, of course!

Too cute!!!!

GrayGhost13 · January 2013

Yes, DS likes to make a parking lot for all his vehicles. He also sometimes puts his stuffed animals and dolls in a chair together. Sounds normal to me.

jillybean800 · January 2013

My mom told me that our pediatrician told her that when a kid starts categorizing it means they are ready to potty train. Has anyone ever heard of that? Interesting theory.

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