Do your children talk and/or sing to themselves when concentrating on an activity?

[Anonymous]

Two of my three kids talk to themselves or sing to themselves whenever they are doing a puzzle, drawing a picture, coloring, or building something with blocks or legos. The self-talk and singing sometimes relate to the activity, sometimes totally not. They are 2 and 6 years old.

The third kid works silently and does not so much as hum. She is 4.

I think all of them are normally developing overall and I suppose there's nothing wrong with either way. But just wondering, are both equally common? Does the talking/singing last into adulthood or is it just a kid thing? What do your kids do?

[Anonymous]

Mine absolutely hums and sings while doing work.

[Anonymous]

Yes my 8 year old still does this, though less than before. I still find myself doing this every now and then

[Anonymous]

One yes, one no.

My mother still does this, I don't and never have.

[Anonymous]

My son has to multitask during school work to retain anything. It boogles my mind. If he’s playing a game on the computer while the teacher is instructing he can remember everything even though is appears he is not paying attention. If he has to sit and do nothing, and it seems he is paying attention, he retains nothing.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Each one also gives a running commentary on her thoughts and actions.

[Anonymous]

My 9-y.o. sings constantly either at full volume or just to himself. Running, playing, writing, playing board games, etc.

He has a much better memory than I do for facts & figures and is much more mathematically and musically inclined -- e.g, his mental math is outstanding and he's gotten farther in piano lessons in 6 months than I got in over 2 years. My husband is the same way -- sings while he codes or writes proposals. (Makes no sense to me; I need isolation and silence to work.)

[Anonymous]

I have a kid who hums when he eats things he likes. Been doing it since he was wee, still does it at 15

[Anonymous]

This is kind of a lovely thread. My daughter is 19. She sings to herself while doing certain tasks. Earlier today she was online (on one of her college courses) and singing to herself!

[Anonymous]

Not so far, but I do. It usually starts in my head and then comes tumbling out of my mouth. Shoulder dancing may or may not be included.

[Anonymous]

She hums when she’s happy. It’s lovely. Her coworkers may hate it someday.

[Anonymous]

My father was a singer / hummer / whistler during all tasks. Even in the most advanced stages of Alzheimers when he couldn't communicate in words or follow conversation, he kept up the singing as long as possible, then just humming, then just tapping and turning anything and everything into an instrument. Up until within a week of his death, he was doing this. Musical minds are amazing. My son is also a constant singer, hummer, whistler.