Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Child sings to self while working

My ds 11 sings all the time. He especially sings while doing homework. In 5th grade during our PT Conference all the teachers made comments about the noises he made while working in class. I told them he sings and especially when he needs to stay on task. Some gave me a funny look and some said it is a sign of a happy soul. He is better this year but at home he still sings up a storm. The day he doesn't sing I will wonder whats wrong.

If my son stops singing, making noise while doing homework. It's time to check if he has gone off track. It's when he is totally quite that I know he is not doing homework.

My gifted DS7 does ALL.THE.TIME. sings or hums. But he home-schools so it's not too much of an issue.

There are some practical advantages as an adult as well. I was in an office with two others about a year ago. You know, I sing while I work. Well, one of the ladies in the office pulled me aside and told me that she did not think she could get used to it, so I apologized, and gave up singing in favor of playing an imaginary drum set. A couple of weeks later I was given my own office. I don't know if it was related, but if it was well that is how I got my own office - win.

I'd really ask first whether it bothers the teacher (solution: get over it!) or the other kids - it's a problem only ifTHEY complain, not if the teacher think it might. If they do, you might want to explore having her move to her own desk, or to the reading corner, or something, as long as they do not put her out into the hallway....

Good advice! I'd add one extra thought: with our friend the at-school hummer, no child ever took note in his first three years of school. Until one (very high-strung) teacher who couldn't stand it began to constantly demand he stop. And *then* the kids did start complaining, but only because the teacher had created an issue and they were responding to her lead.

Fast-forward three more years, and no other teacher has ever complained, and no kids have ever mentioned it again.

So I totally agree it's only an issue if the kids think it's an issue - but even if so, it's also worth making sure they haven't been primed to complain.

My son does this and it drove me nuts until it was explained that he does it to block out other noises and help him concentrate. A classroom environment can be very distracting so it may just be how they concentrate in the chaos. If the teacher doesn't like it, some earplugs may help.