2 Year Old and Socializing with Other Kids

My niece is very similar - she's almost 4 now, and very shy and introverted, but very bright and sweet. Don't push her into uncomfortable situations too fast, but don't avoid them either. Maybe have more structured one on one time with a friend in a comfortable place where you intially help them along - maybe do a craft. It's individual but they can do it together. She has her own personality and I'd try to focus on gently exposing her to social situations, but don't push too hard. We are all different and she'll find her way - with your gentle guidance.

I am a teacher of young children and know it is common at this age for young children not to know how, or even want to socialize with others of similar age. You may want to get a book on child development in the toddler/preK years that explains this more in depth. Separating from mom dad or her primary care-giver to play with others is new for them. It is also difficult for children this age to share and even to initiate play with others at this young age, play is is a learned concept. Often children at 2-3 yrs prefer to play independently or along side others their age. They may communicate very little with playmates and are not yet ready for engaged participatory play. Sometimes toddlers just sit along side and play on their own, they enjoy playing on their own, but lilke to observe older peers at play while they sit along side. They are learning and are unsure how to initiate play, this is all normal development, so don't force things. They call this parallel play. As she gets a just little older she will be more comfortable getting in middle of play situations. You are doing the right thing by getting into play groups, take her to the park and kiddie pool too to expose her to other children her age as well as playdates with cousins etc if possible. It will get better mom. Good Luck

Yup... My daughter did this too. Just keep doing what you're doing. She'll learn that she can "trust" your judgement when it comes to others. I slowly "weaned" her from that fear of others. It took about a yr or so beginning at age 2.

My oldest son also acted this way at 2. He would never participate in songs or activities in story times at the library and did not want to be a part of any large social group. He would just cry and scream and say he wanted to go home. He is 4 now and does play with other kids very well, but still only after a warm-up period and often after strong resistance. I recently discovered (accidentally) that if I show up to an event early, before other kids arrive, then my son eases into it. I had signed him up for a gym camp he was going to be at all day (a first for him), but we happened to be the first to arrive. My son was so busy fooling around with the teacher that he didn't have time to get too nervous when other kids started showing up. He didn't get thrown into a large crowd of bustling, noisy kids. In the past, I have had to spend 20 min trying to convince my son to stay at gym drop-off programs (although he never wants to go home by the time I come to pick him up). So maybe you can try showing up first at playdates and see whether that helps.

I think she will make friends her own way when she is ready..I don't think its nessasary to set up playdates or play groups..It could make her feel as if shes being forced (of couse shes not) but could cause anxitey..I have 4 daughters all with different personalites .. my youngest is 5 and she is the same way..I was kinda nervous thinking something was wrong I also did the meeting at the park and over house playdates and she would react the SAME way..I gave up and let her make her own friends in school..and I would take her to the park without meeting anyone and to my surprise she was playing with other children and soon friends were coming over and she was excited..guess it was a phase she was going through..Keep your head held high luv and good luck : )

Wow, my daughter is the same way!! Same age too. She's always been shy & sensitive though. Right now my husband and I are trying to do role playing to show her examples of things she can say to other kids in a group. We role play to teach her how to react when a child takes her toy away too. I'm trying to cover a few different scenarios that stress her out the most and act them out at home so she can learn how to respond (besides crying and asking to be held or go home!) We just recently started this but so far so good. We were at a play gym yesterday and a child took her toy. She very quietly said, "I was playing with that. Can I have it back, please?" The girl didn't hear her, but I did, and I was very impressed and proud of her, and I let her know it. give it a shot! I also agree with showing up early. We always need a good warm up period before the other kids arrive.