What??? What????

Very normal...just wait, this will go into the "Why?" 1000 questions a day phase, that's the 4-5 year old. You can read my post on that one from a few years ago. Alas, it doesn't get any better, you just get used to it. I think there little minds are contantly ping ponging in thought and frankly they aren't entirely listening to you. I just had this conversation with my 7 yo today. Mom " Did you hear a word I just said?" Son "What?" Aaaahhhh! Breath in, Breath out!

When you speak to him, have him look at you while you are talking.
Actually say, "Look at Mommy.... " then speak.
He's probably distracted and tuning you out.

Or, does anyone in the house do that, so he is picking up the 'habit' of saying "what" instantly?

AAARRGGGHH!!! My 3 year old daughter says, "HUH? HUH? HUH?" So annoying... I feel like I'm going crazy. The phrase in our house is, "Listen to my words." I tell her that if she didn't hear me she needs to say, "What did you say Mommy? I didn't hear you." This has deterred her from saying, "Huh?" a lot because saying, "What did you say Mommy? I didn't hear you" is A LOT more to say. When she says "huh?" I say, "Please don't say 'huh'" and make her say the correct phrase. Then I say, "I will tell you one more time; listen to my words." It has helped A LOT. I'll admit it, I've also said, "I'm not going to answer you when you say, "huh" and Mommy isn't going to talk if you aren't going to listen." Probably not Love and Logic, but I get frustrated. Good luck!

I get the "What?" from my husband so much I sometimes want to become Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction, shoot the random guy on the couch, look at him and say, "Say what one more time.... !!!!" You get the picture.

I know how it can drive you crazy! My FIL does that "HUH?" thing. I am trying not to go insane when he is around. It has turned into a habit for him, he just automatically says "Huh?" even though he hears it perfectly well but maybe needs a few seconds to process it or something, I don't know!

I agree with asking him to look at you when you are saying something. And maybe say it in a simpler form (no long sentences). See if that helps...

Sorry, but I couldn't help but laugh- my 3yo DD has FINALLY just STARTED to stop doing that (as much). I think they are hearing what we say, but not processing it fast enough for some reason.

A few months ago, we were coming out of Target together- my husband bought her some play shoes, and she was happily carrying the bag. This is how our conversation went.

me: Did Daddy buy you new shoes?
her: ...........what?
me: Did Daddy buy you new shoes?
her: .......what?
me: Shoes. Did Daddy buy you shoes?
her: no.
me: What did Daddy buy for you?
her: .........shoes

Argh!

I think she was taking in all the sight/sounds of her surroundings, and having a hard time doing that and processing what I was saying.
I found that sometimes I had to get right in front her, make sure she was focusing on me, and use the fewest words needed to convey the message. She's getting close to 3 1/2, and I've noticed she's been doing it a lot less.
Hang in there- I know it's maddening!

he's just processing what you've said and will eventually learn to focus more. One good teacher trick is to lower your voice from your normal speaking voice to a whisper, that grabs their attention and makes them really listen.

besides isn't it fun to drive mommy crazy and learn to push buttons a little ?? hee hee

"What?" is often a sub-conscious reflex when someone (of any age) needs an extra moment or two to PROCESS what they've heard. It's a frequent, if annoying, response for several people in my house, usually expanded to "Wait, what?" by our over-10 residents. ;-)

My 3 year old will do this, and I eventually got concerned and made an appt to get this hearing checked.

Turned out, not only can he hear, but his hearing is about as accurate as you can get for a 3 year old. Even the audiologist was impressed with how perfectly he could hear.

Now, when he gets into his "what?" games, I will tell him, "you heard me, silly!"

my 2 year old daughter likes the "cousin" of the word "what"

"huh?"

It could be worse lets count our blessings, it could be "why?"....this requires more thought than just a repetition.

I don't know about normal 3 year old thing - but it sure is a normal 15 year old thing in my house. ;(

I agree with ensuring that your son is looking at your when you speak to him - it even works with my son - they are easily distracted and I have learned that speaking to them while they are playing or otherwise engaged pretty much ensures a bewildered "What?".

Good Luck
God Bless

but why but why but why but why

I don't repeat the question, but ask him to restate what I said so I know he heard it. It sounds like he's working on his conversational skills. I know a lot of adults that do the whole, "What?" thing too.

My older son started this at about that age. I responded by asking him "What part of my question/statement did you not hear?" He realized quickly that he couldn't pull me in, and the issue went away with minimal fuss.

LOL I get "WHAT MOMMY"? About 10 times per day!

if his hearing is normal - then he's got your attention and knows it.

With my youngest - when he does this - he'll ask a question or we'll be watching something and he'll say "what?" or "what just happened?" I tell him - if you want the answer to the question LISTEN the first time...on a show - I say YOU JUST SAW IT!!! What do YOU think happened?

Very normal for this age in development. Very frustrating but pretty normal.

Wow, that is my son! I'm so glad to hear that other kids do this too! I know it's not his hearing because we've gotten him checked.

Sometimes if I just wait, he'll think about it and answer the question. Or if I make an effort to get his attention before I tell him something. I get your frustration though! I hope they get through this phase quickly.

If you're sure he heard you do not repeat yourself. Sounds like this has become a habit.

My nephew was always doing this. Then he flunked a routine hearing screening at school. It was determined that he was almost totally deaf in one ear. He had surgery but if it had been caught any later he would have lost all his hearing in that ear permanently.

idk about 3 yr olds, but i had a coworker that said what almost as soon as i finished my sentence. of course i'd always repeat myself thinking she didn't hear me, then i called her out on it b/c i got tired of doing that. she admitted she did hear me, it was just a habit.
so then, i just stopped repeating myself & she answered b/c she DID hear me. little punk, lol. :)
just stop repeating & see if he'll answer or do what you say. but i suggest YOU cut it off. just my thoughts, probly easier said than done when he keeps going - but good luck! :) that's gotta be frustrating! :)