Dd 2.5 won't talk in public

[93pjb]

Should I worry about dd who has always been very social and talks non stop at home but won't talk in a group? I didn't realize that she was doing this until nursery said she needed to start using zone or two words to communicate her needs when she was two. She was talking in sentences at home at the time. Now when I meet people who see her when I'm not around and she's with me they always comment on how surprised they are to hear her talking. Within the family she talks fairly well although not as articulately or clearly as some kids her age.

Is this something to worry about and can I do anything about it? She is at nursery 2 days a week and childminder 3 days.

Some children are naturally quiet around people they don't know. Others find groups intimidating. So that's not unusual. Do you think she can hear properly? Is she happy at her nursery/childminder? Will she join in with group 'speaking' activities like nursery rhymes or songs?

my 2 1/2 yr old is the same. Very chatty, almost non-stop at home. But will very rarely speak to people outside the house, just smiles and thrusts her toy towards them.

My 8yr old is very reluctant to speak to people too though to be honest. But she is perfectly articulate, just a bit shy.

Nothing to worry about in my opinion, she may grow out of it or she may always be shy.

My DD said hardly nothing at nursery until she was about 2.5 (having been there three days a week since she was one), she's now 2.9 and never stops apparently! We didn't do anything particular and nor did the nursery, her confidence just increased. Hope that makes you feel better.

Thanks for the replies, good to know that she's not the only one!

I'm pretty sure that she is happy at nursery and at childminder because she was asking to go to nursery on saturday! I think she enjoys the nursery rhymes but won't actually join in. She'll happily sing along at home though so I don't think there is a problem with her hearing - I guess she is just shy.

I think the thing that is strange about it for me is that it's almost a split personality...

I guess I need to think of how I can try to boost her confidence a bit in talking to other people without being pushy which might just put her off.

Thanks again!