Usually confident outgoing 3yo suddenly very clingy

[hanbee]

DS2 is 3.1 and started preschool in September. He settled in well as he was used to the room, staff and children from toddler group that he attended from 6m.

He's had the usual non stop colds since starting but been otherwise fine.

He started swimming lessons in October, did two lessons where he was praised for his confidence but then on lesson 3 and 4 suddenly refused to get in and got very distressed at having to leave me. He's now started saying he doesn't want to go to playgroup, whereas before he wanted to leave the house ages before it was open.

I don't think anything has happened to him that has prompted this change and it is hugely out of character, but I can't understand why my normally confident outgoing boy is suddenly so clingy. Grateful for any thoughts on what I can do to get his confidence back.

hopeful bump

Hi -

Who takes the swimming group, and are you there all the time? Maybe there is a new member of staff at playgroup, or a new child that he doesn't get on with.

I was a primary school TA for twenty years, and the most trivial (to us) detail can upset a young child. At swimming, it could be the smell of the water, or he might think he saw something in the water.

Can you give him a break from swimming, or from playgroup for a while? Making him go somewhere that worries him isn't good, and could possibly store up problems for when he starts school.

Hope it improves for you both.