Super shy nearly 3 year old

[Millepattes]

Hello wise parents. Hoping you might be able to help me with some advice. DS is 2 and 3/4 and will be starting nursery in September. He has a childminder and is chatty and outgoing with the small number of children there, also at home and with friends' kids.

But, my OH has been taking him to a larger group activity - a toddler football group where there are kids he doesn't know and it's noisy. At this, he seems to panic, won't take any notice of the activities and hides behind OH's legs, while saying he is "shy".

Maybe he just doesn't like football 😬 But how can I get him more used to interacting with unknown kids before he goes to nursery? It seems very specific to organised group activities - i.e. he's fine at soft play etc.

Anyone else experienced something similar?

Thank you!

Yes my ds was like this.

We decided not to bother with the football and wait until he was older.

He settled in to nursery like a dream.

Now he's 6 he does activities like that with no problems at all. Doesn't worry about meeting people.

So basically we didn't force it but had the odd bit of gentle encouragement when needed.

Thanks - that's very reassuring!