My son is 5, a really lovely boy when in a good mood. However, there are a few things I feel like we need to help him with as I’m now really unsure what to do.
Overall he is a ‘good child’. He had no problems making friends at nursery. He transitioned beautifully in reception - no concerns from the teacher, just a boisterous boy but smart. He had a blip in behaviour which was probably something developmental but all ok now.
What I am worried is about his reaction to some new things. Anything new like football club, cricket, karate, anything structured we will ask him if he wants to go, always a yes but when it gets to the place he just bolts. He will not try at all. He hates attention. He hates it when the club teacher gives him any attention, but he is ok when his school teacher gives him attention.
he joined a few different after school clubs ok last year- with a little toy bribery from us, however now he doesn’t want to try any further new clubs.
He picks and chooses what he says no to- ok. He is fine in new settings but I don’t know how to help him with any anxiety he feels around new things, sometimes birthday parties with entertainers also. He also started biting his nails and fingers last year, to me that means he is feeling anxious but his teacher last year said he was absolutely fine at school, no concerns. We have quiet reading time every night, here we always have a chat, I always ask how he is feeling and he tells me when something good or bad happened at school.
Any other parents with children like this? Any recommendations for books to read or how I can help him?
I was considering a childrens psychologist to help.
By the way, we don’t compare him to other children or force him to do anything. However, I will also continue to nudge him to keep trying.