Normal or a concern?

[PlayingAlone]

My son is 16 months.

Whenever he is at a group or nursery he never really plays or interacts with any other children.

For example at a group, he'll run around the room doing his own thing not really paying attention to the music/dancing/activity going on, he never attempts to play with any of the other toddlers there either.

I don't know exactly how he is during the day at nursery and I'm going to ask, but whenever I pick him up he's usually by himself doing something and never with the group of children.

He'll play with us at home sometimes and with his brothers but he is very good at entertaining himself with his toys.

Is this something I should be watching out for/encouraging more/speaking to HV about or is it just normal at this age?

Normal. Google parallel play.

Have a look at this link
pathways.org/kids-learn-play-6-stages-play-development/

Playing together normal starts about 3 yrs.

Thanks. I feel awkward at groups sometimes, He seems like the only one who's just not interested in watching / joining in anything 🤣

My nearly 2 year old is the same. Happy by herself or just watching group activities! Glad it's normal lol! X

It's completely normal.

Also don't feel like you need to take him to groups etc if he's not paying attention or joining in. With my first I felt the need to take them to all the baby music classes etc. I'm on my 3rd and have realised I really don't need to take them to anything if it's going to stress me out or be a waste of time/money.