2yo stressed at toddler groups

[FredKiller]

Does anyone have any experience of this? My 2.5yo DS is enthusiastic about going to toddler groups, and is usually happy playing at them for about an hour, but after that he starts to get really stressed. Anything can tip him into a tantrum (but it's usually fighting with other kids over toys) and then he cries repeatedly after I've calmed him down - even when he's playing with his toy of choice. It's like he gets really stressed out and tired, but it's only about 11am.

Does anyone else's do this? Should I avoid them of persevere? I also have a newborn DD so need to get out the house a bit and occupy DS somehow during these winter months.

I found toddler groups stressful! They aren't necessarily right for all kids. DS was a sensitive soul (still is) and just got battered by other kids at busy play groups. No fun :( In the end I found a nice, calm playgroup up the road from us which suited him much better. There were far less kids, less chaos, more space etc, There was an organised snack time and it was just lovely. Maybe you need to try out smaller quieter groups?

p.s. maybe if he is really excited by that kind of environment he really is getting tired after an hour of play?

Thanks. Yes, they're all so busy and full of people - adults and kids. He doesn't go to nursery so has very limited experience of lots of kids. I'll have a scout around and see if I can find anything smaller. Today's one wasn't too busy, but there weren't too many toys so it was every child for himself.

you could try somewhere else... I imagine though that after an hour concentration and tolerance are running out and tiredness and hunger are kicking in.

At 2.5 he's probably just learning about sharing too... so the toy thing is expected. Does he get an opportunity to mix with many other children?

DS also had never been to Nursery, he just wasn't used to other kids snatching etc. I always used to say 'Never mind - oh look at this!' and direct him to another toy which would work :) Hope you find somewhere nice that can be a regular place for you. I used to absolutely dread doing playgroups until I found the one that suited us and then I actually surprised myself and started to enjoy going! :)

Yes we do plenty of play dates. But it's usually just one on one with another toddler. To be honest he's been quite difficult since DD's birth so maybe that's the route of things. Sharing concept is a work in process, but he sometimes gets it! Hadn't thought of the concentration thing, guess new toys require more concentration than his own.

My 2yo is similar. He's only ever managed 1.5hrs max at any group thing. I do persevere, but I'm not going to make him stay if he's hating it. I do sometimes feel that 'every other child' manages it so you're definitely not alone! My DS gets overwhelmed by noisy environments too, so he enjoys it but then will suddenly demand to go home. And he doesn't like circle time type stuff, or anything in an enclosed environment. School is still a long way off though, take it slowly and gently! Will he go to preschool? A Montessori or similarly quiet chilled out one might be good for him?

Well if he enjoys it for an hr I'd simple leave before meltdown time. No point making life unnecessarily hard, he's only little still & toddler groups are not essential.