Normal Behavior for a 6 year old?

[KatWrangler]

My son just turned 6 this past Saturday. One thing I notice about him is when we go somewhere (grocery store, museum, store etc) he gets what I think is overstimulated.

For example this past Sunday we took the kids to the science museum. This is something my son has been wanting to do because they have a dinasour exhibit right now. I can't keep control of him. He will bounce from one thing to another. He will run up to something and before I can get to him to talk with him about it (literally seconds) he runs off to something else. Then something else. It's extrememly frustrating. Its hard enough because both girls on in strollers, and trying to manuever the stroller and get to him is awful. There are times he just disappears around a corner before I can catch up. Eventhough I have told him to stop. It's like another instinct takes over.

Is this normal? Is he just immature? How do I handle it?

[hakeber]

Based on my experiences in elementary schools, I'd say very normal.

I think it's important to talk to him about safety in public, especially crowded places like a museum, and if you think he will listen to reason explain why you can't chase him and he needs to stay within your line of sight or you won't be able to go places with him. You might also make sure he always has a meeting point with you. My mom used to show me the security desk first any time we went to a new place, the mall, a big supermarket, a museum...9 times out if ten I wandered off and they'd page her to come a meet me.

Also make sure he knows your cellphone number, and your address. eta: maybe get him a walkie talkie, so you can page him and call him back to you when he runs off?

Attention spans are still pretty short at that age, which is why subject areas tend to be short (30-40 min) and leap around from game to game and activity to activity (5-15 minutes maximum).

[KatWrangler]

It's definately a safety issue with me. Especially when he is out of my sight. There are too many not so nice people out there.

[hakeber]

Maybe he doesn't get to go to fun places if he runs out of sight, one time and it's home. Or maybe he has to stay in the grocery cart? Lojack?

I think though at 6 a talk before going out and swift consequences are the key if you think he can't be trusted to wander safely or get to security to call you.

DS is not yet five, but when we go to a museum or the zoo, we first sit over a snack and study the map (like on Dora the Explorer) and see where we need to go, and how far he is allowed to go without me. example: "when you reach the elephants, you have to come back, or wait for mommy and daddy." I also have tied helium balloons around his wrist to help me see him more easily.

Still, it is normal, so starting conversations about stranger danger, giving him a whistle for emergencies, and making sure he knows your stats is a good idea at this age.

[Alyantavid]

Sounds pretty normal for an excited kid.

With my oldest (and now starting with my younger, runaway son) I tell them that we'll go look at whatever they want, but they must go with me, no running off on their own. I do tell my kids why they need to stay in my sight. I make sure they know what to do if they can't find me, cell phone numbers, names, etc. When they were younger and we went to huge places, like the fair, I'd stick a paper with contact info in their pockets and make sure they knew to find a police man (or equivalent) and show it to him.

Consequences for running away/out of sight are that they get to be glued to me (holding hands, carrying).

[One_Girl]

That sounds very normal. My dd likes to look at the things in museums, not hear about them. She also wants to get through the store quickly and would rather be playing. I have found that if she is listening to a book on cd she isn't in such a hurry to be done shopping. This discovery has made shopping quicker and more relaxing for both of us.

[hakeber]

Originally Posted by One_Girl

That sounds very normal. My dd likes to look at the things in museums, not hear about them. She also wants to get through the store quickly and would rather be playing. I have found that if she is listening to a book on cd she isn't in such a hurry to be done shopping. This discovery has made shopping quicker and more relaxing for both of us.

huh, what a cool idea!

[karne]

Some kids are more prone to feeling overloaded by sensory sorts of experiences-all of those that you've talked about in your post would qualify! If you know this about your child, and can anticipate that this will be the reaction, maybe you can plan ahead in terms of safety.