Does your toddler act weird/goofy/silly around other people sometimes?

[hollytheteacher]

Like with my ds if he is around a new group of people or sees someone he hasn't seen in a while he goes from being his normal self to this crazy kid who makes weird sounds and rolls his eyes all around and does like crazy dances. Or he'll randomly pick up something and throw it out of nowhere. After being around the people for a bit (15 min or so) he is ready to connect like a normal person...saying "hi wanna read me this book?" and all his other more normal behavior.

Do other kids act this way??? Is this a sign of some sort of anxiety or social disorder? ack! help!

[hollytheteacher]

Should I post this over in SN?

[Red Pajama]

I don't know if this is the same sort of thing or not. One of my twins goes a little crazy for company. He'll show off for company, and generally be over the top when others are here. It means that others don't get to see how he can be really, and think of him as the rowdy, rough twin.

It's definitly a company thing, and he seems to be settling a bit. In our case, he's not the one with stranger anxiety, so I don't think they are connected.

[ASusan]

I think it's totally normal. DS (27 mos) goes into "show-off" mode when new people are around, especially young women! He starts to tear around and has this routine where he kicks up his legs and lands on the floor. He does it at home (when we have college students visit, for example) and in public (during halftime at a basketball game last week). If someone responds, he'll elaborate by incorporating somersaults and maniacal laughter. He settles down after a few minutes, either as the newcomer engages him, or we transition to another activity.

[not_telling]

DS is almost 18 months and started doing this a couple months ago. He starts acting all silly with his body (which, admittedly, cracks us up)...kind of moving around like a very uncoordinated drunk person who's trying to walk and dance at the same person. Then he'll either crash into something or crash to the floor. He also starts throwing things..too often at people. It seems to happen most when it's nighttime, though, so I wonder how much tiredness plays into it.