[ellgren]

My son is approaching 4 and for sometime we have been trying to teach him to say hello. When he wants something he will say please may I have etc etc but try getting him to say hello people he knows like grandparents or even me he refuses saying he does not want to etc. Any ideas to overcome this matter?

[Alty]

Is he speech delayed in other areas, or just stubborn?

Sometimes the more you push the more they'll resist. I'd try ignoring it for now, lead by example, make a point of saying hello to people, make sure he's watching and listening. Don't force him, it will come.

If he's not just stubborn, but speech delayed, then it's time to get this issue looked at. At 4 years of age he should have a fairly big vocabulary and will need to be seen by a speech pathologist if he's not up to his age in speech requirements.

Good luck. :)

[rosemcs]

Some kids are really shy to say hello, especially to anyone older than them. It depends largely on their personality. I have two kids that are extreme opposite in that way. One was born open and talkative, one was inward and shy, even if it is a big person they are familiar with. Kids are wrapped up in their own world when they are that little. I remind them over and over and they eventually catch on, but they still get concerned about other things that they might be anxious about as they greet you.

He is still very young. Yes, as Altey says, teach by example, and you can keep mentioning it. It may still take a few more years until he is not so shy or able to process it.

[Alty]

My daughter still hides behind me when there's someone she doesn't know. That's not necessarily a bad thing. ;)

We tell them to be wary of strangers and then insist that they say hello to everyone they meet. Mixed messages to say the least. ;)

[JaviersMommy]

My son is in Kindergarten and still will not say hi. I try to teach him that it is respectful to answer back to adults when they speak to you but he doesn't seem to care at all. I just keep thinking that he is a child and will grow up like we all did and we are just fine saying hello to all we come in contact with. He is young, give him some time. Teach him but remember he is young. He'll catch on.