Ds (6) has always been a bit clingy and reluctant to join in group things like toddler sing songs, even when we have gone frequently and seen the same children each week. However, he has been fine at nursery and then school amongst friends. I had thought he was starting to get more confidence, but just recently he has started having melt downs when going to activities. He wanted to do football, so signed him up for a training program. He was all excited on the way there but when we got there and it was time for his session to start he wouldn't go and sit with the other children and just kept saying he was too scared. I tried to get him to tell me what he was scared of and he ssid he might get hurt or the other children (he didn't know any of them) might be nasty. Also he has been going to swimming lessons for a few weeks (which he joined in quite readily), but was struggling a bit so the teacher asked to move him to a class where there was someone in the water to give him more support. He therefore was put into DDs class (3YO). He wasn't entirely happy with the idea but all seemed fine until we were waiting at the side of the pool for the class to start when he started cowering again saying he was scared. Couldn't really get out of him what he waa scared of (it wasn't the water). When this happens he gets really upset to the point of a tantrum and if I tell him to stop crying he starts smacking his face. I can sometimes tickle him out of it or twll him silly jokes but its getting very waring and I'm getting to dread taking him to anything as I don't know how he will react. It seems at the moment every time he is told no or a situation is not how he wants it to be we get a tantrum and tears. Its like having an 18 month old in the body of a 6 year old. I wondered whether he might be getting bullied or something to have this fear of children (he is confident with adults) but I asked him and he said he wasn't. However if he keeps acting in such a baby like way then he will be a target for bullies. Have no idea what to do to give him confidence and stop the tantrums.