It could be something else. You may want to check with your pediatrician. However, you can also try encouraging him to tell you every time he wants something and commit to him that you will give him that (in adequate proportions, of course). Reward him for it and see if the behavior changes.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/obesity/Pages/The-Hazards-of-Sneaking-Food.aspx#:~:text=Why%20Kids%20Sneak%20Food,stressed%2C%20bored%2C%20or%20sad.

This sounds attention seeking, you need better child locks. I am agree with talking to the pediatricIan. He may be on the spectrum.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm it sounds a bit more than normal. I’d start with your pediatrician and yes lots of supervision in the meantime

What would a pediatrician do for a kid who isn’t sick?

PO you are responding to - maybe we are lucky but our pediatrician has been helpful in identifying next steps for out of normal behavior (in my kids case we ended up with an ADHD and anxiety diagnosis) and helped us know when it was clinically out of the norm. They might not know what is going on but they might be able to help you figure out if something needs to be addressed (e.g. developmental pediatrician). I will also throw this out there but I don’t really think it’s what is going on -weird eating can be related to nutritional deficiencies. I know a child whose weird behavior turned out to be PICA due to a major deficiency. Kid is doing well now.

Anonymous wrote:this is pretty normal behavior -

https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/is-your-preschoolers-lying-and-stealing-normal/

https://www.parents.com/kids/development/social/dealing-with-stealing/

I wouldn't worry

No it’s not. This is not normal 4 year old behavior.

Anonymous wrote:Supervise him better and punish him. Put everything out of reach.

+1. What are you doing after each incident? Is he getting punished and lectured or are you just letting the issue go? Maybe he needs to be punished and talked to? Maybe seek help through a doctor and counseling. This is not normal 4 year old behavior.