19 month old with social anxiety!

[AliJDT]

Can anyone recommend any good books aimed at toddlers that might help with social anxiety? My 19 month gets really upset around other children, especially if they're too near him, or boisterous, and aside from taking him to more play sessions to try to desensitize him, i think i need to find additional ways to try to sort this problem out before it starts affecting his development. Thanks for any thoughts on this! X

[TippetyTapWriter]

My ds sounds similar. He won't even go on the slide etc at the park if there are other children near it. He's two now but it started nearly six months ago. He's confident with adults though. No suggestions, sorry. I take him to two or three groups a week and the park every day and he's still the same! Though he does have good days and bad days. I'm trying not to worry though as I assume it's just a phase. I do actually have diagnosed social anxiety myself and I don't think the term can really be applied to small children. Besides I was apparently really confident and outgoing as a small child so I don't think it's any indication of how they'll grow up! I just try not to make a fuss in front of him and act normally and friendly myself around other children, sort of lead by example approach! Good luck x

[AliJDT]

Thanks TippetyTapWriter for sharing your experience - it sounds exactly like how my DS is!! He's fine with older kids and adults, but put one of his NCT buddies (who he's seen every week since birth) on the slide next to him, and it's like the end of the world!! I read a great article on sensitive children last night, which I think has given me a few ideas on how to help him - might be worth a quick read: www.zerotothree.org/resources/198-children-with-shy-or-slow-to-warm-up-temperaments
X

[TippetyTapWriter]

Mine used to get upset and cry a lot a few months ago, so around your ds's age. Especially if another child was crying poor chap! Now he doesn't really cry just sort of shrinks away and goes to play with something else. He also sometimes hides behind my legs or needs to hold my hand for reassurance. Strange because he's so confident in other ways! He will run through the door at playgroup and happily explore the whole room without needing me, but if another child comes over to play with whatever he's playing with he instantly leaves it and goes to do something else. Thanks for link, will have a read x

[Footle]

Was that formerly known as shy?

[StiginaGrump]

Jut let him be and go at his own pace? My biggest introvert who didn't really interact with any unknown kids until 5ish is a super popular very confident big boy. Actually toddlers are emotional and unpredictable - there are whole threads devoted to their many challenging behaviours - quite sensible to be wary!