My 15 month old son is constantly focused on lights and light switches. It seems that he's been this way as long as I can remember. I thought it was a phase that he would grow out of, but it still persists. When he sees a light switch on the wall he reaches for it and grunts to have me take him to it. He loves turning lights on and off and on and off. When we walk under ceiling lights he always wants to be picked up to touch them. If we redirect him, he does forget about it and go along playing with other things. But lights are always his first attraction. I'm a first time mom and not sure if this is "normal" behavior. I just don't want to write something off that I should be concerned about. Thanks for your thoughts.
I think they all go through these phases. This won't be his last. We had to look in every storm sewer and drain in every parking lot for I don't remember how long--seemed like forever. I STILL catch my self doing it -- and he's 8 now. LOL
What does your gut say? Is there anything else that you have asked about your son "is this typical?" As a stand alone behavior, it could be a quirk. But if it is not the only thing, if you are experiencing oddity in his langauage development, if you have trouble getting him to wear certain things, notice that he has ridgid routines, or that he either has low muscle tone, or high muscle tone, or is just a child who marches to a different drummer...you should do a good examination of all the milestones, and be ready to answer all the questions you are likely to encounter at his 18 month well baby visit. Your pediatricain should do several screens and should tell you if you have something to worry about here. I know that everyone here is trying to reasure you, and I am too, but I also know that missing something is far, far worse than worrying about nothing. You have more to lose with the former.
Pay attention to what your gut tells you, and keep looking. Mom's usually know, or they know that there is something that they need to find out. The sooner you know the real answer to your question, the better for both of you.
M.
My son had a thing for light switches and flushing the toilet. Lasted for a solid year, year and a half.
I only have one child too and she's 4 so I can somehow say, I'm still a new mom. When she was less than a year old, she started knocking on walls. Then it progress to knocking on everything. Then when she got a little bit older I realized she likes to listen to things a lot. And now I realized she has very good ears and good taste buds too. I think its one of those things they are just very interested with. I dont think you should worry. Enjoy and have fun with him
My son was the same way he loved lights and swithces. After light swithces he moved on to garge doors and garage door openers. He always wanted to know how things work. He is now a very smart, social, happy 6 year old. This is nothing to worry about it is just a phase.
Enjoy it.
The whole entire world is new to him, and when things he touches DO THINGS? Oh my, the fun! Normal.
If you don't already have the book "what to expect the toddler years", get it - it'll help you feel better re. developmental stages, etc.
Nor...mal!! Yep, they are fixated on all the fun things like lights, toilets, dishwashers, trash cans, cell phones... The list goes on and on!
Well, my son became fixated with light switches when he was about 1 - still is to a degree.
I think what makes this particular quirk seem abnormal is the fact that more often than not it is inappropriate to indulge him. I've found that friends, family, and public places don't think it's so cute to have a little one playing with the light switches.
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my son loved clocks for the first two or three years of his life. he went through phases where he would exclaim and point out EVERY clock when we went to someone's house, telling us what color it was, what it had on it, etc. he went through phases where he wanted me to tell him the time all the time. he went through phases where he wore a watch constantly even though he couldn't read it. but he kept liking clocks. he is four now and it's much less prounounced. but 15 months is sooo young. i'm sure he's perfect :)
It's too bad that mothers just can't enjoy motherhood with out always trying to find something wrong with their kids. 9/10 most things kids do are normal, so just sit back, enjoy, relax and have fun watching your kid have fun! Stop worrying all the time.
Your baby is just fine! He loves switching lights off and on because he is making something amazing happen. (This is, by the way, considered a 'helping' job for toddler, to have them turn lights off and on. So when he does this, say thank you!) Light is something elemental...when babies eyes first develop, what they see is mostly gradations of light and thus form, not color.
Please, don't be concerned, just enjoy that he's interested in it. In our house, one of my favorite things I do with my son is to look outside at different times of day and see the different gradations and color of the sunlight. We love watching the sky throughout the day, and you should have seen my son with the ceiling fan as a baby. Transfixed! Relax and enjoy your fun little guy!
Is he developmentally delayed? This can be OCD or stimming but it might not be. If he has other things going on like sensory issue (not liking certain textures or needing a lot of pressure), and speech delay, tantrums, social issues, you need to get some expert help. Early Childhood Intervention will assess your child for free.
