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Original poster

Toddler doesn't play with other children

7 replies

zighazigha · 20/11/2018 10:37

I'm a bit worried about my DS who is 2.8. He's a lovely little boy, sensitive and gentle, and usually warms up to adults he doesn't know quite fast. With children it's a different story - he'll sort of play near them but he has got no interest in playing with them at all. If we go to the park and there's another child on the climbing frame he either won't go on it or will hide. I have a few friends with kids the same age and they seem to want to be very touchy feely and hug and kiss him, offer him toys etc - he doesn't do any of that and if they try to hug him or whatever he runs over to me.

He goes to a lovely nursery 4 days a week and he's the same there. He's not so scared of those children as I expect he is used to them, but he doesn't have a particular friend and he doesn't really interact with them insofar as playing.

I have mentioned it to the HV but she wasn't concerned, says it's normal for his age. I just haven't seen any of his peers behave the same way.

OP posts:
formerbabe · 20/11/2018 10:40

It is normal from my experience. They play alongside each other but not together. That comes later.

snitzelvoncrumb · 20/11/2018 10:44

It's normal for his age. Toddlers usually engage in parallel play, which is playing in a similar way, but not interacting. On looker play is normal too, when they just watch the other kids but don't join in.

Singlenotsingle · 20/11/2018 10:44

It's entirely normal. My dgs ignored other toddlers at that age. Now he's 5, he's very sociable, chatty and outgoing. Loves the company of other children although he will interact with grownups if there are no other children around.

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Original poster
zighazigha · 20/11/2018 10:45

On looker play is normal too, when they just watch the other kids but don't join in.

He does a lot of that at nursery, they've told me.

Thanks all. This is very reassuring. I just worry about him as I was so shy growing up and I don't want him to feel like that!!

OP posts:
AnotherPidgey · 20/11/2018 10:49

It is normal and this phase should pass during the pre-school years around 3-4. Most children will be able to play collaboratively around 4-5 when tbey start svho.

AnotherPidgey · 20/11/2018 10:50

Sorry for typos. The M&S advert of screen chaos is back!

Toddlermama123 · 28/02/2025 15:42

zighazigha · 20/11/2018 10:37

I'm a bit worried about my DS who is 2.8. He's a lovely little boy, sensitive and gentle, and usually warms up to adults he doesn't know quite fast. With children it's a different story - he'll sort of play near them but he has got no interest in playing with them at all. If we go to the park and there's another child on the climbing frame he either won't go on it or will hide. I have a few friends with kids the same age and they seem to want to be very touchy feely and hug and kiss him, offer him toys etc - he doesn't do any of that and if they try to hug him or whatever he runs over to me.

He goes to a lovely nursery 4 days a week and he's the same there. He's not so scared of those children as I expect he is used to them, but he doesn't have a particular friend and he doesn't really interact with them insofar as playing.

I have mentioned it to the HV but she wasn't concerned, says it's normal for his age. I just haven't seen any of his peers behave the same way.

How’s your son ? Xx

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