my 4 yr old daughter has a habit of holding tiny 'things' in her hand for hours at a time.?

Question

This could be anything from a sticker or piece of paper to chewing gum. she wont let go of it until I open her palm and discover it? pls advise if this is normal. Plus she also is a middle child an get lots of love and attention but it never seems enough?

I also want to add that I am going through a messy divorce an she is very angry about it all, but only behind her dad's back. She is not very academic and has no interest in learning at all. She has always been a very sleepy baby and that has not really changed .

Answer 1

My 15 month old does the same thing. I remember my oldest 2 doing it also. It is very normal.

Answer 2

The best advice is ''don't worry'' and let it be. Making an issue and looking in your child's hands to find out what she's holding may accentuate it. It's normal for children to have such quirks and the less the attention the more it become mundane. P.S like pebblespro said .

Answer 3

Hi there. I have twins aged 23 months and one of them HAS to have something small in his hand at all times.
Will be anything from small toy/ paper/ stones from garden (especially likes them).
If I call him to come and do something he usually stops midway and collects a little something to hold....this also stops him from carring other things as wont put the small thing in his hand down.
He is a happy boy and we are a happy family so I would think your little one just uses this as a litttle comfort.

Answer 4

She's FOUR years old! Four!!! Her world is in chaos! Those little tiny things are the only things she can "hold onto".

And "not academic"??? I say again, she is FOUR years old!!???

Concentrate on sorting out your 'messy divorce' and give all your kids lots of cuddles. Your daughter will be OK.

Answer 5

I agree with the security thing. I did it too. I think I still do, with a tissue, if I have a cold, which I hold tightly specially if I don't have a pocket. My kids do it too. A 6yro daughter and 4yro twin sons. It keeps them amused if we are out. I,m just worried if they loose it. Hey don't you hold on to your mobile phone or purse or keys? Good Luck with your life. X

Answer 6

I think that's normal.. However, make sure these "tiny" things aren't big enough to swallow... If it fits into a toilet paper tube than it's too small.. I know it may seem over reactive, but I've seen children choke on toys... Give her bigger toys to hold.. Good luck

Answer 7

A child can never get too much love & attention. Don't worry about the holding things, she'll grow out of it. try to give her activities to occupy herself like things to do that require her using her hands (painting or drawing etc) & she'll grow out of it

Answer 8

that is normal behaviour but keep an eye on her and if the object is put into her mouth remove it immediately and do not give your child the opportunity of an argument - you are the parent/carer.

Answer 9

does she get upset when you take them away or if she puts them down and cant find them later? any other odd things she does?

i work with a lot of children with autism and this is something some of them do. but dont worry much. delays in social skills, verbal and non verbal communication would also be present.

Answer 10

This is a normal behavior, but not usually to this extent. Kids collect small, strange 'treasures', carry them around, then put them somewhere strange (or lose them). But hours is a long time. And most four year olds are willing to discuss what they are holding and show it to you.

I wonder if she has a touch of OCD or some kind of anxiety issue. You might want to discuss this with her pediatrician and ask for her to be evaluated.