My four year old son just recently began asking the same question over and over again throughout the day. He'll ask, "Did I just say a bad word?" I don't hear him say anything, but then he'll just keep asking the question throughout the day no matter what my response is. I've replied to him and ignored him, but nothing seems to work. He just recently started preschool after staying home with me since he was born. I recently had to start working. I pay a lot of attention to him when we're home together, so I don't know what the deal is, but it worries me. Someone please help.
Comments for
4 year old son keeps asking the same question
Stephanie, for you it has no meaning, but to him it means a lot that he asks that question. Just watch if there is anything which sparks of that 'question'. I think there is a trigger. Also, try the following:
A) Start of his day telling him he didn't say anything wrong. B) wehn he starts asking his fampous question again, interupt him and say 'Did I do anything wrong?' Keep on doing this several times.
C) you do the same thing, when he asks 'did I say anything wrong?' you say: 'No!', then seconds later you say: 'did I do anything wrong?'
D)Try the reward game: give him a small thing from (perhaps a box filled with plastic toys) give him 1 toy if he asks another question than 'did I say anything wrong?' If he says it again take the toy away again.
E) Don't respond to the question at all.
F) If nothing works, well......he'll grow out of it!
Above all show that you like him with genuine affection! B.
Feb 15, 2011
Looking for reassurance by: Jennifer
It sounds like he wants reassurance. He may be checking out new things he has been told at pre-school with you. If it is heavily on his mind atm, it will be what he talks about. If there are particular questions or subjects he focuses on mainly, you can make or buy 'social stories' which are a short story you can read, covering all the issues/questions raised. you can say shall we read the story? or ask, what does the story say? As time goes on he will no doubt feel comfortable with these new ideas and get on with playing or general conversation.
Feb 03, 2011
4 year old with same question by: Anonymous
My four year old daughter recently started asking the same question each day. She attends preschool but recently got strep and starting asking "did I say a bad word" several times a day. I had told her about kindergarten recently and she started to say she doesn't want to go to school, her preschool which she was going happily to. She had separation anxiety last year the same time after school winter break did not want to go back to school. I have no idea why this is going on except I was concerned if she had PANDAS and googled that on internet. Last year it was an ear infection around the same time. Thought it was antibiotic she was on Omnicef i believe that caused her personality to change. My husband and I have been arguing alot lately so that is a concern too. Now we are trying to work togethor to help figure out her repetitive questions and not wanting to go to school. She is also concerned about germs in her food. I will ask my pediatrician. Last year it may have been a fear she had of our neighbors house catching on fire..she kept asking us to tie a bow on her dress and would have meltdowns if dress did not fit right. Pediatrician said reassure her all is okay and ride it out. We kept her close and reassured her and kept bringing her to preschool even though she would scream at drop off time. These symptoms or fears went away. I am not sure what is causing it, but can see it is anxiety related. If in fact it is strep infection the PANDAS that is not a widely accepted theory but I will check that out also.
