Q: My son is 3.5 years old and does not want to answer any questions. When we ask him any question, instead of giving a reply, he repeats the same question again. He knows the answer but just doesn't reply. This behaviour is creating a big problem for us. How can we handle this situation?

A:Sometimes children get confused about when to repeat what is said and when to produce an answer. Also it might be a good idea to ask a question only when you want to know something, like ‘Did you bring your crayons?’ Children do not always enjoy being tested for what you know they know! Please observe whether the child engages in any talk meaningfully. If he does not, you may wish to consult an expert (psychologist or counsellor) face to face.