We have been going to a new play group and really enjoying the whole thing. As you may or may not know about me and my son is that we moved and now we have no friends and do go out until now to this play group. My son was never around people or other children. He has been doing well but on Wednesday there was a lot of children there (30) maybe and he didn't do so well. He freaked out and wasn't to go home right away. Is this something I should be concerned about or will it pass. I just hope I haven't messed up his whole social skills by moving and staying home all the time. Have I?
Have you tried something that has less children in the group? I know that swimming lessons only allow small groups (6 in my daughter's) so that the teacher can keep an eye on them all. If you start small, he can get to know them, you can get to know the mums and maybe even go on outings to the park, etc with the other mums so your son can see them a couple of times a week and not just in the pool. My daughter has always gone to playgroups too, but we've gone to the church run playgroups that have smaller numbers too. One of them is run every day of the week, but only allow 8 families at each session. Some families have 2 or 3 children so it's still a decent size group I guess. That's a thought anyway, maybe other sports groups only have small groups like swimming has but that's all my daughter is in for now so you'd have to fine that out. Hope this helps, good luck with your son!
sorry i forgot to add its nothing you have or havnt done either ,, when there are crowds like that just sit down and let him sit with you to watch the other little ones . talk to him and point out what the other kids are doing , ie like that little boys playing with a car etc,,, you will probely find that a few of the kids will come up to the both of you , he will see that its ok and they are having fun and he will join in when he feels confertable
my two year old hates crowds also . hes soo friendly untill it comes to large groups and he just clings onto my leg ,, take your time with him slowly its over wealming for him , i dont like large crowds myself
Mine get flustered if there are a lot of kids in a small area, like a house. 30 kids is a lot to handle and all the noise that comes with it. When our playgroup grew to 16 kids, we split up the group. I know you are new so you may want to wait to suggest splitting up the group by age, geography, or days. I know I wouldn't be able to accommodate 30 kids plus a parent each. Good luck, he's fine.
I agree, he should be fine if he's normally OK around kids. Maybe he was just having an off day, or he needs to get used to that many kids all at once.
My son is a social butterfly, but he still has the odd day where he'll hide behind my legs for no apparent reason. I wouldn't worry to much.
You have not messed up anything. If your son does well around children in general then he just needs time to adjust to lots of kids. Even for adults to be around lots of children who are are running around and screaming can be a bit overwhelming. We take a son our to a fun house full of climbing frames, ball pools, slides etc.. and its called CRAZY KIDS what an appropriate name. Try taking him somewhere like that then he can get used to being around lots of kids. Good Luck!!
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