Question:
Need help with 4 year-old, not interested in ANYTHING apart from TV...?
Not a sweetie
2009-11-28 01:05:42 UTC
And the couple of videogames he has.
He's the "party-pooper" in the family! We (as in "parents") are fairly active and practice sports. However, he is not keen on trying anything whether it is horse-riding, cycling, rock-climbing, etc... I recently bought a Wii, thinking he can try the Wii Sports, maybe start hitting a tennis ball and developing a taste for it. Or golf, or WHATEVER! But he's just not interested.
When we go out, which happens at least once a day with a detour to the playground (and we have tried many different playgrounds), he goes on the slide twice then asks when we can go home! Sometimes he complains that he's tired. Until we get home and he will tell me he's not tired anymore and asks about watching TV - that DAMN TV again!
In the late afternoons, I get the baby (yes, I have one too) either in the jogger or the bike seat and go for a bit of exercise because I feel the need to move after a day spent at that slow pace.
It's not even like he's watching that much TV as I will only allow it at special times (feeding baby, cooking) and it's a privilege, not a right.
He was out of the stroller at age 2, I encouraged him to walk.
Where have I gone wrong?
Sixteen answers:
rustybones
2009-11-28 01:18:36 UTC
It sounds like no one is paying attention to him. You expect him to take an interest in adult activities and he's too young for those, yet.

Shut off the tv, get down to his level and play with him. You could try coloring, board games, imaginary role play, etc........
2016-02-29 10:35:01 UTC
What about making cookies? 5, 7, or 10, they all seem to like making things. Even playdough is a good idea. There are only so many things a 5 and 7 yr old girl wanna do that a 10 yr old boy wants as well. How about taking them to play baseball. Use a soft kind of ball. The 5 and 7 yr old would love to play outfield and chase the ball down and it would be fun for all of them.
Naz ma taz
2009-11-28 07:28:24 UTC
Hi there. I'm a teacher and work with children ranging from 3-13. I like to think that a good way to raise children is the old fashioned way. Now it's going to be tough to get your little one away from the tele especially when it's right there. There are 2 ways you can do this. One is drastic, get rid of the box. Or atleast away from his sight. It'll be tough but he'll get over it. If you opt for this, don't give in to the withdrawal symptoms like tantrums and keep pumping in the love. Option 2 is using the tele as a reinforcement. If he does something constructive for 20 mins he gets tele. Then gradually increase the time spent on constructive activities. Try and start by getting activities that have to do with a favourite cartoon character or something. Like colouring books, blocks, so as to motivate him. Good luck.
?
2009-11-28 03:41:01 UTC
No tv. At all. Period. And get him interested in other activities. When he asks for the tv pull out a coloring book or osmething else. It will take time. You're going to have to teach him HOW to play and model some behavior for him before he'll catch on.
Gina
2009-11-28 05:38:03 UTC
Maybe he's not into sports. Maybe he might like to go to the library and take some books out or get some arts and crafts and do finger painting or gluing or something. As xmas is coming up maybe make so decorations to put on the tree.



My daughters grandad is a mechanic and so she has her own little toy toolbox and she likes to pretend to do what grandad does. Or maybe a train set or farm set
2009-11-28 01:24:56 UTC
My advice is to get him on a schedule of when he can and can't watch tv. For example: say he gets to watch one show after breakfast and one after dinner. He is old enough to understand this. When he starts begging to watch TV at a different time, explain to him once that now is not the time to watch TV, and that he will be allowed to watch after dinner. If he asks again, or throws a fit, just ignore him and/or offer him something else to do. Stick to your guns. If you give in, he *will* remember.

In time, he'll catch on to whats expected, and hopefully start to be more interested in other things in the in-between times.

p.s. talk to your sons doctor to make sure there is nothing medically wrong that might be making him lethargic...
Babel
2009-11-28 17:38:00 UTC
get him away from the tv more & start trying to find things he likes that are active or are something other than tv & video games
BeautyBlitz
2009-11-28 02:50:05 UTC
Hello! HE'S FOUR! Turn the damn TV off and go outside and play with him! Buy some cool outside toys, even take him with you to buy them so HE can choose what HE wants. Go outside and PLAY with him.



No, golf and rock climbing or tennis DON'T COUNT! Maybe find him a kid his age to have play dates with. Want to be active, take the whole family to the swimming pool.



While the Wii is fun...it's not the same as REAL PLAY!
2009-11-28 06:52:54 UTC
Hi, It seems like ur doing everything right, all u can do is introduce new things, and do like u have been doing with your outtings and all, children love routine, and soon enough will learn urs lol Remember "your the boss" he is still only 4yrs old, lol
dead man
2009-11-28 01:15:42 UTC
maybe you should start showing him movies posibly sports related. like baseball or skateboarding or anything. he might think that its cool after watching the movie and want to try them out. and watching a movie is like watching tv so hel probaly want to do that.
Shaelyn Camille is 1! (Katie)
2009-11-28 04:28:59 UTC
I agree with Beauty Blitz!! All you're doing is starting bad habits for when he's older!
Meghan
2009-11-28 07:52:53 UTC
turn it off and dont turn it back on...he will find things to do...I got to that point with my daughter when she started to cry when I turned it off...so now she watches no tv and her imagination is so big now its amazing...if he knows how to turn the tv on unhook the cable or unplug it...
2009-11-28 01:57:45 UTC
He's four. Where are his age appropriate activities? No, rock-climbing and golf do not count!



Try Lego, toy cars, marble runs...
Jasmine A
2009-11-28 03:58:21 UTC
try sports tv then he might want to try it.
2009-11-28 18:28:24 UTC
https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20091128155353AAKVGR8
?
2009-11-28 01:12:42 UTC
hook him up to the internet?


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