We are dealing with the same issues here. My DD4.5 has been speaking in a baby voice and chewing on clothing. We aren�t sure how to help build her confidence? Or maybe she needs more of a challenge?
Using baby talk and acting like a baby is mentioned in many parenting books as a common phase around this age. Kids struggle with wanting to grow up but still feeling threatened by it. One approach to deal with this is to formally accept it as a play activity rather than fighting it. Play it up "I'll be the mommy and you be my baby", lullabies, pretend to burp her, etc. Over time that may evolve to discussions about happy times when she was a baby. It may let her work through those feelings and cut down on the need to have baby talk the rest of the time.
