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3 year old behaviour - just shy? Sensory issues?

5 replies

Aliciainwunderland · 24/02/2024 16:52

I have one DS who has recently turned three. As he’s an only child and I havnt had much exposure to other children - looking for advice if I should be worried about this or if this is something he will grow out of

  • DS has never had any development issues. Physical development he has always been ahead and speech development although I have often found him to be behind some of his peers - nursery has always maintained he is on track. He has a wide vocabulary and speaks in sentences, knows the name of every dinosaur etc
  • He is in nursery 3 days a week since he was 1 and he is very confident going in, loves nursery and always has great feedback at pick up
  • he has a vivid imagination- plays games with his toys, making up games ect
  • no behaviour issues bar the odd toddler tantrum
  • at home is chatty, confident and funny
His issues seem to come outside of home, in particular in busy days environments
  • we do a gym class once a week which is quite busy. Leaving the car and going in is fine but as soon as we get into the room he often puts his hands on his ears and clings to me crying. By the end of the 45 min session he is fine but takes 10/15 mins to warm up
  • I stopped doing swim lessons as he always just seemed to be upset being part of a big group
  • went for lunch with a group of friends today - he was the only child. Walked into the pub fine but when he saw a table with lots of people he started crying, clinging to me ect. By the end, again he was fine but took 20 mins
  • loud noises upset him, he will hold his hands over his ears
  • fine with a 1.1 play date but when part of larger group - outside of nursery - he takes awhile to warm up. Often just sits on the outside watching the others playing

any insights of if this is normal and he’ll grow out of it?

also is there anything else I can do to help support him?

OP posts:
Aliciainwunderland · 25/02/2024 14:05

Bump

OP posts:
Berosey54432 · 25/02/2024 15:47

Just shy. Don’t overthink it. Sounds totally normal. Perhaps he is a little more anxious than others in larger groups he’s an observer watching others play it’s smart really deciding whether or not it something he would want to join in with.

Aliciainwunderland · 25/02/2024 17:47

Thanks your reply. I do often think I’m overthinking it but when you are the only parent out of over 20 with a sobbing toddler at a class which is basically fun soft play - sometimes it’s hard not to overthink!

I can remember once taking my niece at the same age to pre school and I stayed for the day and she was also very very shy there which shocked me as she was so confident at home! She’s now a very confident 15 year old so hopefully he will grow out of it too

OP posts:
Berosey54432 · 25/02/2024 18:02

Your his mummy - his safe space… look at it from his point of view your wanting him to socialise with two dozen other kids he might prefer the peace and quiet 🙉😂

Aliciainwunderland · 25/02/2024 18:16

That is true! The other day we had friends round with 4 other kids all playing with his toys and he enjoyed it for a bit but after awhile he came up to us and said ‘everyone wants to go home now’ 😂

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