<![CDATA[What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy]]>I am not sure if I am the only one out here with the problem. My boy is really getting overly active so much so that it’s a thin line between being naughty and curious/ active.


He will play with switches and tell me mummy light bright bright. When I said No, he will just run away and when I turn my back, he plays with the switches again. Or he will be climbing up and down, gates, tables, u name it…

Sometimes he will purposedly run into his 1 yr old sis and knock her down so much so that my daughter now squats down when she feels that the bro is going to run into her.

Anyone with experience on how I should discipline him? At this age, how do I get the proper rules into him.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/38068/what-to-do-with-an-active-2-5-yr-old-boyRSS for NodeMon, 14 Sep 2026 22:21:50 GMTMon, 16 Jul 2012 08:42:05 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:03:52 GMT]]>Tell me about the terrible twos! For me the best solution is to physically remove my toddler from whatever nuisance she’s getting herself into, and quickly distract her with something else. Of course there are times when this doesn’t work, or times when I’m simply too busy to monitor her every move. That’s when the tiring part begins - explaining for the 1000th time why she cannot do something, and hoping the tantrums won’t start. If it does, I still move her away from the ‘crime scene’ and let the tantrum run its course.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/807224https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/807224Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:03:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:39:19 GMT]]>Just cover all unused switches with safety cover and block from sight all switches. I did this the minute my first child could crawl and I never had ths problem. Shift the furniture around, put interesting safe things in front of whatever you cannot block. Rotate toys regularly and have a variety.


I basically hide wires and switches when they are small. When they are about three they learn to use cd players. As they get older, I explained the safety issue to them and they learn about conductivity. I also tell them about accidents involving electricity and safety measures during thunderstorms. My soon to be five yr old knows how to set up and connect a simple snap-circuit with mini light bulb and switch.

When they are too young to understand, just avoid the situation as much as possible.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/802399https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/802399Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:39:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 13:47:39 GMT]]>Sigh… The smacking doesnt seems to make him remember … switches is a no- no

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/802370https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/802370Sun, 22 Jul 2012 13:47:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Sat, 21 Jul 2012 14:05:17 GMT]]>

pinkitty:
He will play with switches and tell me mummy light bright bright. When I said No, he will just run away and when I turn my back, he plays with the switches again.

I remembered when my boy was about this age, he like to touch the switches too so we make sure we buy those plastic cover to cover all the switches. One time when we went to my parent's place, I remembered he wanted to touch one switch and no matter how many times I told him not too, he went at it again quite single-mindedly. SMACK! Goes mummy's hand on his fat thigh and I told him very fiercely with a wagging finger \"No, No, No!\" He cried very loudly and tearfully of course (his cousins starring..) but after that he does not do it anymore.

When it comes to safety, no compromise!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/802019https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/802019Sat, 21 Jul 2012 14:05:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 03:19:49 GMT]]>Your daughter shouldn't have to put up with your son's physical roughness just because he is \"active\". Would you find this constant disregard for your daughter acceptable if it came from another child in her daycare? I would be complaining and expecting the teacher to take action.


I find the consistent use of time out very helpful for stopping my children's obnoxious behaviour.

I used \"magic 123\" as my reading reference.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/800813https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/800813Fri, 20 Jul 2012 03:19:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 09:15:36 GMT]]>

pinkitty:
I contemplated sending him to a half day sch or even childcare but we all really like the current sch he is in especially after all the anti-sch drama he had with the previous sch. So, really don't want to change the sch for him.


I am not sure if the current megablok is not much of a challenge for him tats y he is not interested to play in them... wondering should i invest in types of lego bricks for him.
Maybe your megablock is just the basic bricks & it does not interest him. Let him use the Lego to assemble his own cars or trucks. Give him a little help if necessary. I thought his current school is a half day school. As long as he likes the school & look forward to go to school.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798441https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798441Tue, 17 Jul 2012 09:15:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 07:40:31 GMT]]>I guess so… Terrible 2… wats next

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798362https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798362Tue, 17 Jul 2012 07:40:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 06:53:23 GMT]]>I contemplated sending him to a half day sch or even childcare but we all really like the current sch he is in especially after all the anti-sch drama he had with the previous sch. So, really don’t want to change the sch for him.


I am not sure if the current megablok is not much of a challenge for him tats y he is not interested to play in them… wondering should i invest in types of lego bricks for him.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798327https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798327Tue, 17 Jul 2012 06:53:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 06:37:32 GMT]]>

pinkitty:
Thanks a lot for the assurance... initially i was even thinking my child is hyper

I have 2 kids & both of them are in Primary school. All kids are different. My kids used to be active & some of my relatives classified them as hyper active. When I compared them with my nephews & nieces, I also thought mine were hyperactive too. Look at the positive side, active kids tend to be smarter. They like to explore, ask questions & look out for answers. However, it can be tiring to look after such kids. It is good to send him to half day school. Let him play with Lego to bring out his creativity & bring him outdoor to explore.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798311https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798311Tue, 17 Jul 2012 06:37:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 06:07:35 GMT]]>Thanks a lot for the assurance… initially i was even thinking my child is hyper

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798277https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798277Tue, 17 Jul 2012 06:07:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 03:40:52 GMT]]>Hi ammonite,


Thanks a lot for the advise… right now his daily activity seems to be come back from playschool at around 1 plus, nap till 3plus… play and dinner… then play … play … play till like 10 plus then he wants to sleep…

my in laws try to bring him to the library every other day…

Talking of indoor playing… we have like everything to attempt to keep him occupied…
even the megabloks seems not so interesting to him now… he used to like them … even the puzzles which he like… or he is tired of them

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798125https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798125Tue, 17 Jul 2012 03:40:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 03:14:52 GMT]]>

pinkitty:
I try to bring him out as much as I can but coz by the time i get back from work.. it's dark

It's tough for working mothers. :hugs:

If you're only back later at night, you need to have a rough idea of what he has done during the day and the schedule. E.g if he had a very long nap from 2-5pm, he will naturally be restless when you come home and full of energy. Ideally someone else would have taken him out earlier in the day to expend his energy, eg 4-6pm, after which shower, dinner, wind down gently with stories and quiet indoor activities and he will sleep VERY well by 9pm.

He should not play in the indoor playground at night because he will not sleep well after all the excitement. Maybe can just go for a walk around the neighbourhood, look at night markets. When my boys are full of energy at night, I take them for a walk on their scooters. Where we are there is a lot of greenery and it's very quiet and cool. They may use the swings for a while, but no catching or chasing allowed. After that they take a quick warm shower and if they are still restless, I may play a card game with them before reading to them in bed.

At 2 plus, some of their quiet night time activites were building with wooden blocks or train sets. I also always have one critter in the house for them to look at if they are bored - fishes, caterpillars, shrimps, ant maze, crickets. They have magnifying glasses when small, and binoculars now that they are bigger. They are very good at spotting birds, tree frogs, and insects now and can name some local species.

Remember boys are hands on, they like things that move and they like to move. Of course girls do too, but boys do/like it to a greater extent. Satisfy these natural instincts and they can be very sweet.

(Oh, but the part about running at mei mei, that is a no-no. Just stand between them and say \"no\" in a firm voice with direct eye contact. Then tell him, \"Balls are for chasing, rolling and hitting. People are not. Is mei-mei a ball? No she is not. \" Then depending on the circumstances, either take him for a walk, go and watch people play basketball, or give him something interesting to do. I think he will get it. Don't make it too big a deal or he may start to do it for attention OR resent the younger sister and hit her secretly.)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798096https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/798096Tue, 17 Jul 2012 03:14:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:26:25 GMT]]>I try to bring him out as much as I can but coz by the time i get back from work… it’s dark… and I stay in Jurong so the best place is only Jurong Central Park which is really dark… I wonder does bringing him to the indoor playground like singkids help

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797997https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797997Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:26:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:48:06 GMT]]>I never had this problem with my boys at that age - and no, they are not angels and they are not quiet! They need two things - enough outdoor play and something to fascinate them indoor.


Try taking him out twice a day, one to two hours each time. Shopping centers don't count. 😉 bring the younger one along, she will enjoy the walk. Rotate the things yo bring along - ball, bubble wand, colored streamers etc. Change your route occasionally, go to different playgrounds or parks. Take the chance to show him different plants and insects, also start talking to him about safety rules outdoor (but don't expect him to follow them yet. Now it is just input.). Chase butterflies, birds, leave footprints from puddles...

When he climbs at home, remind him - tables are not for climbing, we will do this at the playground. Point out the sharp corners and safety issues, and remind him you will be going to the playground again. - but chances are, his desire for speed and exploration has already been satisfied after a long outdoor session.

Have a list of indoor activities and different activity corners - a quiet play corner, a reading corner, a place where he can sit and watch the clouds and observe the rain etc. Again, rotate activities, bring in new ones occasionally, and do them with him regularly until he has some mastery over the activity.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797884https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797884Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:48:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:03:06 GMT]]>Dun worry, it’s a phase but now it’s also the time to instil some discipline (not caning) via delayed gratification or time in the naughty corner. A soft smack on the palm or stern No may also do the trick. But they will definitely cry their hearts out over this action of yours coz they don’t like to be called naughty. Then once they have stopped crying, it’s time to hug and assure them that you still love them.


My gal will not stop crying if I yell at her to stop, but she will stop crying when I count to 3 in a stern voice. You can try this next time.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797820https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797820Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:03:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 09:30:00 GMT]]>I told my hubby i feel like a broken tape recorder

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797702https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797702Mon, 16 Jul 2012 09:30:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 09:19:11 GMT]]>Pinkitty, son’t worry…my son is going to be 5 and the same:)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797685https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797685Mon, 16 Jul 2012 09:19:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 09:14:58 GMT]]>I am now tired of repeating myself… we are even contemplating of putting him in a childcare to see if it will help… but i really like the sch he is in and he is enjoyin himself in sch … sigh… and my 2nd terrible 2 is starting …


On one hand the bro bullies her on the other hand they are the best partner in crime

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797682https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797682Mon, 16 Jul 2012 09:14:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 08:57:34 GMT]]>By the way you can also look up to babycenter.com and sign up for the developmental milestones section where each week they tell you how your kid will start to behave at this age or is behaving and they explain why she is exploding/throwing tantrums and how to handle.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797673https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797673Mon, 16 Jul 2012 08:57:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What to do with an Active 2.5 yr old boy on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 08:54:29 GMT]]>Hi pinkkitty, I think this is a norm for kids their age. They know that they can walk and run anywhere their little legs can take them and they know they can 'operate" certain things so regardless of how you shout at them or spank them they will still do it. This is the "terrible 2s" stage when all kids hitting 2 will just do anything and everything, don listen and see how far they can push us. Do not give into them though as then they realise that we are pushable and they will continue on doing it as they grow older. Continue to stay firm and keep saying No in a stern voice and let them understand that the behaviour is not acceptable.


Can understand how you feel. My baby girl is goin on 2 next month and she started her terrible 2s early! Purposely keep doing it again and again even when you remove her from the place you don want her to go or touch. So its actually normal.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797665https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/797665Mon, 16 Jul 2012 08:54:29 GMT