20 month old DS doesn't like other children

[RachelG]

Is this common?

Every time we go to a toddler group or visit friends, the kids his age try to play with him, but he hates it. He cries and runs away from them. Yesterday at the playground, he refused to come down the slide till my friend's DS (who he knows well) moved out of his field of view!

He's an only child, but surely that's not unusual at this age. He goes to nursery one day/week, and I've always visited friends regularly, so he's used to contact with other children. He's fine playing in the same vicinity as them, just doesn't like it if they try and play with him.

He hasn't had a bad experience with any other kids either. And he's fine with adults.

Anyone else got a toddler like this? Is it "normal"?

Sounds normal to me....DS didnt start playing with other children until he was 2-2.5ish

He's still very young.
I wouldn't worry, TBH.

yep mine is like this although getting slightly better (23mths)

It is a bit of a nightmare sometimes as he gets upset when all the other kids are trying to do is be friendly.

It can make one's social life a bit stressful. I tell myself that there are much worse things though and he will grow out of it.

Has he had a bad experience at the hands of other toddlers? My ds got bashed particularly badly a few times when he was around one and I think it made him wary - he s a cautious little chap anyway and so must have decided toddlers are dangerous (he is fine with older kids) - probably a fair assessment!!