Need sound advice on how to handle a precocious 4.5 yr old boy.....?

Question

He's my twin son - really fast with smart (-assed, sometimes) answers and slowing fine tuning this skill and is getting to a dangerous level. He is beginning to ingore my requests, refusing to cooperate, can just go off and do his stuff (plyaing cars mostly) when he knows its time for books and reading . and just tells me that he does not like doing reading so should not do it at all, etc... maybe another time, etc... !!! Help !! Like telling him that sleeping early would help him grow taller faster and he says he wants to stay short !! ?? Am i missing something ? His elder twin brother is the opposite and thank goodness. Suggestions please !

Answer 1

We're going through something similar here - we also have 4.5 twin boys who are testing the waters.

My advice is ignore as much of the smart alek behavior as possible and punish the rest (time out after a warning when they use inappropriate words or behaviors)...

Also, the more physically active I keep them during the day (going to the park, riding bikes, playing soccer, swimming, etc) - the more able they are to calm down and do quiet activities later in the day (letters, reading, coloring...)

Remember, all kids learn in different ways, so maybe if he was given the opportunity to learn his letters in different ways he'd be more excited about it (writing the letters in the sand, gluing beans onto the letter "A" , for example) Many kids don't dig workbooks, so maybe he's bored of them.

Good luck!

Answer 2

With him being a twin he is going to be totally opposite of his brother. Maybe he does it on purpose to annoy you(at this age they know when they are doing it) or maybe he thinks it's funny in his own mind. My 4 1/2 year old is the same way, but I'll tell him, for example, if he doesn't want to go to bed then I'll say your little sister will always be bigger then you and beat you up like she already does.(he has a little sister that is 2 1/2 and bigger , stronger, taller, thicker, etc.......) and he cannot stand it. If it came to reading time and he doesn't want to then I'll put him in the corner and let him sit there. And sadly he will for hours until he decides he finally wants to read a book. So I feel for you greatly, I just play his games back with him to see if he likes them.

Answer 3

Sounds like he's started the "terrible twos" a little late. He's testing you to see what he can get away with. Taking away TV privileges or a favorite toy sometimes does the trick. Remember when talking to him, come down to his level, have a firm voice but do not shout. Good luck!

Answer 4

make learning fun ... sounds like a bright child with the world ahead of him ... enjoy him and remember everything he does is a form of education. [ like his sense of humor too he shows promise] independent thinker.