2.5 year old not interested in playing with other children

[MooandPops]

Hi there

My DD is a beautiful happy toddler - stroppy to the core at times, very happy being in a situation she knows and recognises. She loves her Big brother (nearly 6) and they play brilliantly together.

She is very happy with her childminder and with the two other girls that go there - she is there 2 days a week and is happy in her routine.

My problem is that when she goes to tots groups
or a social situation with other children she doesn't know she becomes stuck to me (around my neck) and cross with the other children - everything is 'mine' and no concept of sharing though I know this is probably normal - I am a bit concerned at her lack of socialising...is this normal?

Leading on from this, she is due to start nursery in Sept two mornings a week? The nursery staff say its prob a good time to start her (its a wonderful nursery with very helpful and loving staff) Am just not sure....

Any thoughts would be most appreciated...

Thanks

Totally normal at that age....every thing is "me" centred....they are not quite capable of thinking about much else. Give her time and she will learn to enjoy that playing with others is fun.

completely normal at this age, try not to worry.

When she starts nursery she'll play alongside the other children first, the start to actually play with them but she probably won't be fully socialised (if that's the right word) till she's getting on for 4 or even older.

Thank you both very much - any advice on whether I should get her started at nursery or leave her with the childminder??

Thanks once again

tbh there are pros and cons of each - is the nursery attached to the school you want her to go to, because if so it may be an idea to get her used to going and so she can get to know the children she'll be with in a couple of years (although there is plenty of time for that later)

Are you just sending her to nursery so that she can learn to socialise? (if so, it's a bit early in any case so I would leave her where she is)

Is the nursery cheaper/more expensive than the CM?

Is the CM going to have the same children in the next few months/year or so or will they change?

My advice, fwiw, is that if she's happy with the CM and there's no actual reason to change her, leave her where she is - there's plenty of time for nurseries etc in the years to come.

Thank you very much for your thoughts, I think I will leave her with the CM for a bit longer.

Hi,

I would have to agree. It sounds completely normal. I think most children prefer there own company and that of their family for the first few years. The reason I wanted to reply actually is because I have the complete opposite problem. I have a 3 1/2 little girl and she is really over the top with other children. They usually are very uncomfortable with her being so in their face. I worry about it too , but lets just hope they're extreme opposites social skills wise and that it's just something they'll gradually pick up.

Hope that helps a little.

I would leave her where she is. I found with my kids they preferred small groups and didn't really get going with a bigger social situation until 3.5 when they each made a best friend and the world opened up. I don't think 2 mornings of nursery works except for super confident kids. It can be hard to slot in when other kids go 5 mornings - they always feel like the part-timer. I always found anything less than 3 times a week didn't really work from a social point of view.

Hi how’s your daughter now ? X did she overcome her struggle ?