My preschooler does this..is this normal behavior?

Question

He repeats whatever he says in whispers..like this morning I asked about his homework, and said "I put my homework in my backpack last nite"...then he whispered "I put my homework in my backpack"

He started about a month ago,,,,I dont know if its just a childhood thing that he'll out grow or if I should conuslt his doc.

He seems to repeat the end of his sentences....and he is whispering to himself.

is that normal?

Answer 1

If all else is well -- my suggestion for now is to ignore the sentence repetition.

Something that most people aren't aware of---

Children don't start thinking in "words" until they're ABOUT six years old!!! Knowing this helps adults endure the period of time where the child is constantly babbling or talking to themselves. Watch a group of 4, 5, and some 6 year old children playing. The more involved in the play--the more they'll be talking about and acting out that play.

At four years old -  cognitive development is in high gear! In addition to that---children like attention and will do whatever it takes to get it. So.....give him attention to all the behaviors that you'd like to encourage. As long as all are safe... ignore what you can.

If he knows you are concerned about his "whispering"-- you could unknowingly be encouraging him to emphasize it to get  attention. Or worse---he may silence himself if he thinks there is something wrong with whispering or talking to himself.

The more extroverted a child is--the more verbal in play and cognitive development.  Simplifying this--- with young children-- words come out the mouth---into the ears---and to the brain.

So to any teachers or parents who are reading this, take delight when your pre-k and young child is whispering or talking away to them-self.  

It's a good thing :-)

You don't speak of any other other behaviors that concern you. Does he make eye-contact?  Does he engage in play? Is he gaining social skills? If so---take delight and joy as he passes through this early-childhood phase! If all else is on target-enjoy your son's uniqueness -and smile as he "thinks out-loud"!

Answer 2

He's probably just playing with language, which is developmentally normal.  Kids do this in different ways.  They might repeat a word or phrase over and over, or they might experiment with different sound substitutions, or they might sing words or phrases.  I wouldn't worry about it right now.  Use it to teach him new vocabulary.  Use words he might not know and explain the meaning, then ask him to say the word.  It will be a good way for him to learn new words and start using them!

Answer 3

I'm 15, and i've noticed alot of my friends do this... i even catch myself doing it sometimes! I wouldn't worry about it, it's usually to check that what i have said makes sense.

Answer 4

This can also be a sign of asperger's syndrome. (A form of autism.) Does he have other unusual behavior? Like, is he really funny about change, have difficultly changing from winter clothes to summer clothes and vice versa, have trouble with pretending games, take things really, really literally, seem very smart but kind of socially retarded?

Answer 5

yes its normal

Answer 6

I love him!!!  so cute..a mini obsessive compulsive!!!  Love himmmm!!!!  Kidding...I think it will pass. kids stuff, no big deal

Answer 7

does he have an imaginary friend he could be talking to - repeating himself because he wants to make sure his imaginary friend knows whats going on? maybe he's whispering cuz thats how him & his imaginary friend talk. My son was embarresed to admitt he had an imaginary friend.

If not, has anything big changed for him lately? Remember whats small to us adults could be abig thing for a kid so maybe he's kinda reacting to something that changed with him. He could have picked it up from someone else doing it that he is in contact with. Maybe he just likes to hear himself talk. My son used to babble all the time & I used to ask why he talks to himself & he told me that just hearing his own voice made him feel calmer. Have you asked him why he is doing that? My son is now 11 yrs old & he still does it & he also can see me eating dinner & yet asks ya eatin dinner? Bill Engvall would have a field day of signs for my boy. I think its all probably pretty normal. I discovered the reason my son asks questions he knows the answer to, is cuz then he cant be wrong & it actually helps his self esteem just to be right. kids are funny!

Answer 8

Children in this stage of life sometimes like to narrate what they are doing. I learned this in my psychology class last semester. As for the repeating he is also starting to learn lanuage and in doing so repitition is the key to learning pronunciation. I have a four year old neice and she walks around the house saying things all the time. Sometimes it drives me crazy! I look at her and sometimes even follow her around trying to find out what she is doing. She is simply narrating her life as well. Once she was picking up rocks outside and she was saying "I'm picking up rocks to take them over here...over here..."

I hope this helped.

Answer 9

It could be aspergers syndrome.Does he like to play alone.Is he shy,Hate to be interupted when he is doing something.Have any obsesive compulsive behavior,Does he hate change in his routine.Have trouble making friends?If yes,to any of these.He could have aspergers.High functioning autism.