Bragging = High Expectations

[bright sparks]

Interesting.....coul d be that she has been somewhat conditioned by her mother so when coaxed and encouraged to do something independently like the puzzles or names of dinos and in addition by someone other than her mother then she comes up short.

The spacing out is definitely something to watch and Id keep a record of it at her age and see if this becomes consistent and ongoing and if any patterns occur. Seems to me just from this little bit of info that she is disengaging. Hence the oblivious looks and responses and the inability to not be able to follow basic simple instructions. May very well just be away with the fairies but also could be a sign of Special Need/Giftedness. I am less concerned with the what is your favourite colour being a kitty lol A 3 year old probably didn't hear past favourite and if obsessed with your cats would instinctively reply with that. The fact that she can not follow simple instructions to sit on a chair is possibly indicative of special need.

I would be inclined to erase everything mom told you and start tomorrow off with zero expectation and see how she does. Download the Nipissing developmental milestone criteria sheets, or pm me your email address and I can email them to you and go through them with her. They are yes or no questions and may raise possible issues or confirm that all is okay. When you ask her to do something basic in future have a go at getting down to her level and try to get her to focus on you while you ask her the question. Have her mirror what you said by repeating back to you to confirm if she has either heard you or your request has got through to her working memory. I personally don't think she is playing you. It sounds like either away with fairies stuff or something on the spectrum. Observe, record and be patient to see how this plays out....