Help! My toddler is petrified of other children

[munchkintrouble]

Since lockdown 1 he's been scared of other kids, if 1 makes cries or makes a screaming noises even in excitement then my LO cries for 30 minutes non stop.
I've been taking him to toddler classes to get him used to children but it's not making any difference, it's been months now and this morning he was worse than ever.

Please someone give me some advice or tips, I'm feeling completely overwhelmed by it and struggling to know what to do.

How old is he?

I'd try 1 on 1 somewhere quiet with a friend of yours, not a whole group's worth of kids. Give rewards whilst there e.g. chocolate buttons (like training dogs). Get him to relate other children to good things?

Then you can solve something similar with my 16yo...

He's 22 months. We do meet friends with children similar ages, he gets treats etc, it's just not getting any better.

Who can I ask for advice?

Any advice or where to ask for help?

Health visitor?
GP?

My now 3.5 year old was very much like this at this age. He used to flinch if another child would go near him. He’d cry if anyone talked to him. He would go and sit by the door at groups and want to go home. I did worry about him and assumed he must be shy / an introverted child.

He is so sociable now it’s like he is another child. Since age 3 he came out of his shell and started to seek out other children. He has recently started preschool and he loves it and talks about all ‘my children’ and says they are all his friends.

I don’t think I really did anything to encourage this he just grew out of his shyness. I stopped taking him to big, busy groups as it stressed him out although I’m sure this isn’t currently a problem for you in lockdown.

Have you got any friends with similar aged children. If you meet up one on one in a park it might help him get used to other kids.