I had one many years ago that had strange behavior with me at first - only walked on his knees, not playing or doing things for himself, not engaging with me very much. He was removed from the previous daycare because his parents didn't think he was learning anything, and he was much more animated at the interview than his first few days with me. I figured out that the previous daycare just wasn't very nice and must have been very crabby at him. It took just a few weeks for him to get comfortable and be the little boy he should be.

I had another one that used to do the staring down or up and go stalk still whenever I would redirect or just no-nonsense direct (time to put the toys away for lunch, now). Turned out, his dad screamed and threatened at home all the time, and when dad left the home he completely stopped that shutting down.

Those were my experiences, anyway. I hope your little guy comes around or gets the early intervention if he needs it.

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