Was your toddler ever shy around others toddlers?

DD will be 3 years old in February - but lately she has been showing shyness around other toddlers - even toddlers in the neighborhood that we don't see frequently but see at the park etc....

Is this a phase?

when do they grow out of it?

Next year we are thinking of putting her in a nursery program - i don't know if this will help alittle bit.

Also when she gets shy she clings to my leg, like she is afriad or shy.

Would love your input!

ETS - she does eventually warm up to them and start playing - but this is usually her first reaction.

Message edited 10/18/2008 8:44:03 AM.

Re: Was your toddler ever shy around others toddlers?

Yes, my DD is like that and it's worse around adults--especially men. She loves school though. Every day the children play outside right before dismissal and sometimes I see her playing by herself or sitting on a bench by herself. That makes me sad, but I know she's happy. When my DH drops her off in the mornings, a little girl always saves a seat for her and they're like little "best friends" which makes me feel better. I was happy to see her walk up to some girls at her dance class last week and start playing with them.

My DH is not worried at all, but I am a very shy person by nature. I really pray she's not like that when she's older because I know how painful it is to overcome shyness. I hope it's just a phase too.

Re: Was your toddler ever shy around others toddlers?

My sister is having the same "problem" with my 2 1/2 yr old nephew. I put it in quotes b/c i wouldn't necessarily call it a problem, but she is a little nervous about it. He is so outgoing around his family and cousins, but when he gets to daycare, he wraps his arms around my sister's legs. I think he is just shy and that he will grow out of it. I was like that around other kids when I was little.

Re: Was your toddler ever shy around others toddlers?

Yes, Ava is like this now. She never used to be. She wants nothing to do with interacting with kids her own age. However, oddly enough, when she visits my school and sees the older kids who are in middle school, she goes straight for them and chats them up like no tomorrow I think she thinks she's 13
I've been trying to get her more involved with other kids her own age, but she really has no interest!

Re: Was your toddler ever shy around others toddlers?

My 2 1/2 yr old has to be sort of encouraged to go play with other toddlers his age. Like a couple other posters said though, he is downright outgoing when approaching older kids and adults though. He's 2 going on 30.

Re: Was your toddler ever shy around others toddlers?

M son is extremely shy, around adults and children. Some children are just introverted by nature. From what I hear, many outgrow it when they go to school.

Re: Was your toddler ever shy around others toddlers?

My son would not even play in a playground if there were other children there. He was in daycare and miserable. Finally, when he was three we found the right preschool for him and slowly they broke through. My son is very happy with other children, but still a little shy with adults. He has little trouble making friends though. HE is 4 and in pre k