Making noises - boy 4 years old

My boy is 4.5 years old, and this is his second year in the preschool. He is a good boy. He is energetic, and he is respectful to his teacher and to his friends. He loves to play with those who are the same age. He loves to play with blocks, cook in the kitchen, play with the phone and with cars. He likes coloring a little bit not too much. He prefers to play with toys of coloring and do school activities like coloring. He usually follows directions but he prefers to play. His teacher told me that he needs an extra year to mature because he is the youngest of his class, and she told me today that he starts to make noises with his mouth when he is working early in the morning, and that is new for me. She said it is because he needs to grow up. But I would like to know if there is something wrong with him or something that we can do for him to stop being so noisy . His teacher suggests some speech pathology but I am not sure about that. Thank you so much for your help."

[hopeshell]

I disagree with the teacher.  I would change him to a different school. He is too young to be labelled.  Making noises can be very common for young children.  I am not sure what type of noises you are referring to.  It could be normal and not related to a tic disorder.  But, it is also possible your son has a tic disorder.  Tics are very common for children.  Most go away within a year. But, a certain number of kids end up having either chronic motor tic disorder, chronic vocal tic disorder, PANDAS (caused from strep infection) , or Tourette's Syndrome.  

My daughter was also 4 when she began having motor tics (eye blinking) while in preschool.  She is now almost 12 and definitely has Tourette's Syndrome.  But, it is mild and hardly noticable.   In order to be diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome, you must have both vocal and motor tics (not necessarily at the same time) for a year or more.  Most kids grow out of their tics and don't end up with a Tourette Syndrome dx.  But, it is important to realize that tics are uncontrollable (like a sneeze) and that you should not let a teacher label your child.

Here are a few links about tic disorders:

http://tsa-usa.org/

http://www.webmd.com/brain/tic-disorders-and_twitches

If you feel your the movemets are tics, you should see a neurologist.  Kids with tic disorders can have special accomodation that allows them to stay current with their class.  It sounds like your son is smart and it would not benefit him to be held behind.  My daughter has done very well and is very smart despite the TS.   Tic disorders are poorly understood by most people and so it is important that you become your son's advocate if he does have tics.  

Best Wishes,

Shelly

[margypops]

Stop a child being noisy ? lots of intelligent people make noises when they are concentrating and yes that includes humming especially when they are stressed .Your son sounds like a normal child the teacher .maybe not ..good luck

[AnnieBrooke]

If a trained teacher is suggesting a child needs some speech therapy, it is worth checking out.  The therapist might say he does not, and then you'd be done, but if he does, this is the time to deal with it.

[tinkerbell1124]

He's 4.5 years old. ALL kids make weird noises sometimes. I don't see that having anything to do with growing up!!!!  Or needed to stay back a year. He's 4, how much CAN he grow up??? My son's 5 and when he's coloring and stuff he likes to sing/ or make noises sometimes. Or he'll whistle. Has she asked him to stop?? My son doesn't really like to color much either. I think it bores him. That could be another thing too, he could be bored.

[margypops]

yes..well most my family need speech  pathology then if teacher is right,  is right  ,children make noises or is it only the children I have ever known .....

[margypops]

sorry I have a wayward keyboard

[benjimom]

My son has made noises. too.  I don't think it's a big deal.

[hopeshell]

I disagree with the teacher.  I would change him to a different school. He is too young to be labelled.  Making noises can be very common for young children.  I am not sure what type of noises you are referring to.  It could be normal and not related to a tic disorder.  But, it is also possible your son has a tic disorder.  Tics are very common for children.  Most go away within a year. But, a certain number of kids end up having either chronic motor tic disorder, chronic vocal tic disorder, PANDAS (caused from strep infection) , or Tourette's Syndrome.  

My daughter was also 4 when she began having motor tics (eye blinking) while in preschool.  She is now almost 12 and definitely has Tourette's Syndrome.  But, it is mild and hardly noticable.   In order to be diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome, you must have both vocal and motor tics (not necessarily at the same time) for a year or more.  Most kids grow out of their tics and don't end up with a Tourette Syndrome dx.  But, it is important to realize that tics are uncontrollable (like a sneeze) and that you should not let a teacher label your child.

Here are a few links about tic disorders:

http://tsa-usa.org/

http://www.webmd.com/brain/tic-disorders-and_twitches

If you feel your the movemets are tics, you should see a neurologist.  Kids with tic disorders can have special accomodation that allows them to stay current with their class.  It sounds like your son is smart and it would not benefit him to be held behind.  My daughter has done very well and is very smart despite the TS.   Tic disorders are poorly understood by most people and so it is important that you become your son's advocate if he does have tics.  

Best Wishes,

Shelly

[moncast2007]

Thanks for your advices. I really appreciate all your help. Tomorrow I am going to talk with his teacher again.

[tinkerbell1124]

Let us know how it goes.


THanks

[benjimom]

I hope it goes well.  

[specialmom]

Hi.  Couple of things.  I want to tell you that on most evaluations of children that possibly have an overactive nervous system, the question of making noises is there.  My son has sensory integration disorder and this is a common thing that sensory kids will do.  Some kids do it to "wake up" and some do it to "calm down".  It can be a sign of an unregulated nervous system.  It can also be a child that just is developmentally immature as well.  

I think whoever gave you advice to just change schools is maybe missing the point.  It is not a criticism to have someone point out an issue with a child.  It was a preschool teacher that did so with my own son.  It allowed us to address what was going on and he is now in elementary school with no issues in the classroom whatsoever.  I would try to keep the attitude that a teacher is looking at your son compared to most kids his age and noticing some things she is concerned about.  

Does this mean you should panic?  No.  Does this mean that something is wrong?  No.  But it is about awareness.  And I think the most important thing the teacher said is that upon her observation, your son is not ready to advance to kindergarten.  This is not a slam on your child--------  some kids are not emotionally mature enough or developmentally ready for the increased expectations of a kindergarten classroom.  When kids start before they are ready, they have a much more difficult time adjusting and can start their school career off with a bad experience.  Another year of preschool would give you the time to see if it is just maturity things she sees or if there is something more going on.  

With regards to his fine motor skills, how does he do with scissors, tongs and hand writing?  
good luck.  All kids are different and all grow and develop at their own rate.  Some have a little more going on and that has nothing to do with intelligence, ability or their future.  It just is important for parents to look at their child as the world outside of home will see them so that they can offer help that may be needed for the child's best chance at success.  

[jdtm]

Another thought - making "sounds" is common to children under stress and/or anxiety.  The "sounds" is a comfort mechanism.  Could this be the issue?  Just wondering ....