My son is going to be 8 months in couple of days, here is my problem, my son is very energetic, plays and talks all the time at home, he however, seems very very quite when we take him outside. I walk him everyday, we try to introduce him to as many new places over the weekend, he just goes into an observerance mode when he is outside. I am getting very worried about this, what does this mean?, I am OK if he was a shy kid, does anyone have had the same issue, my biggest concern is, if he will have issues socializing? or is it just the way babies react at this age?, please help.
Relax. Relax. Relax.
This behavior is completely normal for his age. He is seeing and experiencing things for the first time, second time, third time....not the billionth time like you.
A.,
As long as he has had a social smile by now, and laughs and bables, he is on target, even if he forgets to do it while he is outside. This is not a red flag for developmental profiles, be happy that he is taking it all in, one day soon, you won't be able to get him to sit still and be so manageble when he is outside.
M.
My five year old still goes into observation mode when he is in a new location. He has done this for as long as I can remember. When he was in daycare the first time, they brought animals in, he didn't touch a single one, sat on the teachers lap and literally stared at everything with a straight face. He was probably about 10 months old at the time. At 18 months we took him to a day out with Thomas, exact same reaction. Now, he can still give you details about the day with Thomas. He takes in more when he is in "observation mode", uses all 5 senses, pays attention to much detail. He is very smart, and very socialable, friends with everyone in the classroom at preschool. I would say it's more of and adjustment issue, he is observing the world around him, and when he feels comfortable he will come out of his shell.
It's way too early to stress about socialization. He's just taking it all in. The outside world in an amazing place to kids. My dd is almost 15 months old and when we go somewhere new, she's really quiet at first. Once she gets used to her surroundings, she's her normal social self. I wouldn't worry about it at all.
Hi A.,
My daughter at this age would make you think she was an FBI agent, she'd be looking everywhere, at every sound and just be amazed. She's 21 months now.
My son zones (he will be 10 months in 4 days), he stares, he can look at the floor and just stare at the moving ground beneath him. He isn't as sociable as she was, he prefers me to hold him most of the time but it is also that age when they begin with separation anxiety.
Boys are very different and there are things that also worry me but when I mention it to my Dr she doesn't seem worried.
If it really concerns you, I'd make a mental note of when he does it, the exact behavior, if you can record it. my Dr has told me to record things I notice and bring them in to show her, that way she can see what I mean ;) If anything, for peace of mind cos our babies always worry us ;)
he's just soaking up everything he sees around him. there is so much to stimulate his brain he doesn't need to provide that for himself.
my son was this way. he's very very observant and loves to watch and listen. now he is very interactive and friendly. he can talk your ear off about rockets or his new bike or whatever else. now he's extremely sociable, he talks to everyone.
I think it's way too early to worry about his social skills. He's probably just in awe of the many things going on outside...especially this time of year. Remember that he is seeing things for the first time that you (as an adult) now take for granted such as leaves blowing, flowers bloming, birds flying & chirping, lawnmowers, bikes, kids playing, etc. Relax, and enjoy these things right along with him!
