Five year old focusing on one toy for a period of time?

I am a horrible worrier. I worry about everything. Mostly health and well-being related. DH doesn't worry nearly as much as me when it comes to that stuff, however is is an even worse worrier/reactor when one of our DC's gets hurt or he's afraid they'll get hurt.

Anyway, when I'm not worried about something, I certainly don't need DH pointing something out that he thinks is a problem... but of course, one thing I was not concerned with at all and thought was normal behavior, DH says is a problem...

Opinions please...

DS just turned 5. He'll find a toy he likes and want to hold on to it for hours. He plays with other things too, he's not soley obsessed with the one thing, but DH says he's focusing on only one thing.

Some examples:

At an outdoor birthday party where DS didn't know many kids, he found one of those giant flexible frisbee type things. He had never seen one before. He loved it. He was only interested in playing with it and didn't want to play WITH someone... was perfectly happy playing with it by himself... throwing it up in the air and then chasing after it. Then when it was time to eat, he brought it with him and actually sat on it. DH said that was a problem and made him put it back on the grass.

Yesterday, DS's older brothers gave him a water ballon... not filled up, just a deflated water ballon. He loved it. Carried it around for hours. During this time, he played in the pool, ate, went on swing set, etc. Whenever he'd put it down, he was always looking for it after a short while.

I didn't think this was a problem. He's 5. He finds something he likes and he wants to "play" with it. He can participate/do other things while "obsessing" about it. He doesn't do this all the time... but he does do it often.. finds something that facinates him... or his favorite toy of the day or week.

He doesn't show any other signs of "obessive" behavior or problems focusing. He is shy in new situations and it takes him a while to warm up.

Thoughts/opinions?? Normal behavior or something to worry about?

Thank you!

Re: Five year old focusing on one toy for a period of time?

I think it's normal 5 year old behavior.

but a follow up question,

Does he interact with other kids if there is not toy? Does he approach other kids or interact if approached?

Re: Five year old focusing on one toy for a period of time?

Thanks for your reply.

He really only interacts with kids he already knows. In daycare, he's very social and very popular. He has a bunch of friends and interacts with them and approaches them.

He doesn't, however, interact much if at all with kids he doesn't know. Toy or no toy. He's shy in new situations and when he's not comfortable and it takes a while for him to warm up. For this reason, I worry about Kindergarten and him making new friends.

Re: Five year old focusing on one toy for a period of time?

I think he's fine then. If he didn't have friends, didn't interact with someone, then I'd be concerned.

Being shy with new people is pretty normal for a 5 year old (and my DH).

Re: Five year old focusing on one toy for a period of time?

LOL!!

Thank you so much!

Re: Five year old focusing on one toy for a period of time?

I think it sounds totally normal. My DD is 4 (5 in July) and constantly needs to carry around one of her stuffed animals. To the store, school, grandmas, everywhere basically. It does at times seems she is 'obsessed' but really it is just her 'thing'. It also takes her a while to warm up to new kids, although she is very friendly with people she knows. As long as they can interact with other children and engage I wouldn't worry at all. I find that kids this age all seem to have their own 'thing' or unique behavior.

Re: Five year old focusing on one toy for a period of time?

Thank you so much for your response and sharing your experiences. The reassurance make me feel so much better!

Re: Five year old focusing on one toy for a period of time?

I think its normal. DS is 4.5 and will behave similar. He we even make me promise to watch said object so no one can touch it. I find he only behaves like this when he is in an uncomfortable situation, ie where he really doesn't know anyone, or doesn't want to take part in a certain activity.

Re: Five year old focusing on one toy for a period of time?

You just described what my son does often. He'll be 5 next month. My son is very outgoing around people he knows but can be very shy in new situations. Ive always attributed his fixation on certain toys or objects to curiosity and a way to make himself more comfortable in new places and situations. It has never really concerned me as he does interact with other kids.

I can understand why your husband may be concerned but if he's social, I think its just normal behavior.

Re: Five year old focusing on one toy for a period of time?

My son will be 5 in a week....does the same sorta thing. Get hyper obessed with things, and also will carry around the oddest things , and it never lasts long. I think its normal.