5 year old niece still acting like a baby?

Question

HI, I HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD NIECE WHOM I BABYSIT BUT SHE STILL ACTS LIKE SHE'S 2 OR 3 YEARS OLD! SHE STILL DOESNT SPEAK CLEARLY LIKE SHE SHOULD AND STILL WANTS A BINKY. IS THIS NORMAL? I'M NOT HER MOTHER OR ANYTHING BUT I DO HAVE A 6 MONTH OLD BABY AND I DONT WANT HER TO ACT LIKE A BABY WHEN SHES 5. WHAT CAUSES THIS? DID HER PARENTS BABY HER TOO MUCH?

Answer 1

There could be a number of reasons for this.  She could be developmentally or socially delayed.  There could be a medical or psychological cause.  If you can understand her speech and it is a few words or letters that she mispronounces than that is most likely normal.  If it is most of the words that are not understandable, than that would be enough to signal a red flag.  Children often regress when new circumstances arise, my youngest child regressed when my daughter was in the hospital for two weeks.  He can often be clingy, especially to me, yet he has an incredible vocabulary. Three of my children were binky babies, two had a binky until they were four, one was three.  The youngest never took a binky at all.  If you have concerns speak to a child development expert in your area, most of the local childrens' hospitals will have one.  They can send you information to review.  Talk to the child's mother, if this is your sister or talk to your own mother or grandmother.  They often have a wealth of information.  Family history plays a big part in this as well.  Speech delays are often related to hearing deficits.  The  sooner a child receives treatment, the better the outcome.  Try reinforcing big girl behaviors when you have your niece.  Let her assist you in caring for your infant.  She can get you diapers and toys.  Read to both your niece and the baby.  Be patient above all.  The binky thing is no more annoying than a child who sucks their thumb, finger or on a stuffed toy at night.  At this point though, when permanent teeth are coming into place, the binky should go.

Answer 2

all kids act different. my little borther is 5 and he can be like that at sometimes to. you just ahve to wait and let them grow into their selves. most likely she will be fine

Answer 3

It could be the fact that her parents baby her, or they expect her to be too grown up, either way its done for attention. The speaking clearly part comes with practice, it seems someone might not be working with her enough??? My niece just turned four and sometimes she reverts back to that behavior, usually mimicking her 2 year old brother, or even back to the infant stage. But every child is different and reacts in their own ways. The binky is her security...help her find something else, maybe something she won't out grow so fast?

Answer 4

I honestly don't think that's normal, especially if she doesn't speak clearly.

Has she gone to preschool at all? Or had a lot of interaction with other kids?

My niece is like that with speech, BUT she's 3 and her speech therapist says it's okay.

Binky - that means pacifier, right? That thing should have been gone when she was like...1 or something.

Answer 5

Some children act more like this around others (not their parents) in order to get more attention. I have a 6 yo daughter who will revert back to very babyish behavior when she feels that her little brother is getting too much attention.

If she is acting like this around her parents, too, then, in my opinion, it may be that they have allowed this behavior to persist too long.

I would suggest encouraging her to be more responsible when she is with you... help her pour her own drinks, make her own snacks, clean up, etc. and work with her on her speech, letters, numbers and such. These activities not only will help her improve, but also help the two of you bond. Then when Mom and Dad see how well she is doing you'll be to thank!

Answer 6

of course her mommy and daddy have babied her so be careful what you say

Answer 7

her parents are still babying her and it needs to stop. No 5 yr old should have a "binky". that thing should've been gone a long time ago. as far as the baby talk I'm sure her parents talk to her like that all the time