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Am I the only one who has a preschooler who is "right on" when it comes to facts and then suddenly does a 180?

My son has been telling time to the quarter hour since he was about 3.5. He was doing great about progressing to telling time to the minute until about three months ago. Now suddenly, if I ask him what time it is, he tells me, "Mom, I only know o'clock." But if I press him, he will give me the correct time.

What would make him regress like this?

BTW: He has destroyed at least six clocks and still asks for more.

Did I just find my answer in this old thread? (Mis-learning through repetition)

Rate of Learning

I dunno. The fact that he gives you the correct time when pressed seems to show that he may still be "right on" w/respect to facts, but just doesn't want to answer when asked a question he perceives as beneath his level.

It may just be his rebellion. My DD5 doesn't like to be put on the spot sometimes and will not answer or give wrong answers intentionally as a form of rebellion. I know that is the case because if I said, "I'll give you a cookie if you tell me" (I don't do this LOL) she would say the right thing immediately ;-)

That said, there are times their brains short out and they say the wrong thing or can't remember things. I am working on being gentle with my DD5's mistakes since I am a perfectionist and she is too. I am also trying not to "quiz" her unless she asks to play guessing games or a quiz type game.

both my boys do this! It drives me nuts, but what really drives them both nuts is when the other then answers correctly - hahaha!

I have realised as well that it sometimes relates to them realising that the more then can do on their own, the less they will need you and then they may try go back to being "the little one".

I find that extra cuddle time and reiterating that I will always love to do things with and for them makes a big difference and they come right again quickly.