My Son Does Not Know How to Interact with Kids

Its not at all unusual for a two-year-old not to know how to interact with kids, but more practice will help him learn sooner. I have a 2.5 year-old, and I was concerned about the same issue, so I joined Carrollton Early Childhood PTA in order to get him in a play group. He's getting better ... he still learning how to play with other kids, but he's initiating more interactions and he no longer has the 'deer in the headlights' look when other kids are around.

You know I think that this is pretty norm for his age. Mid three is about when they start to interact to other children their age. Hey have you tried playing with a room full of other kids this age? They haven't quite got the skills needed to play well with others yet so it's really not all that fun. ") Playing with adults this is not an issue.
I would suggest starting really small and not put him into an environment with a lot of children. Maybe find one good friend for him to play with at first and go from there. I'm a believer in letting them feel safe and comfortable while they are so young and have yet to get a good foundation of self yet. There are plenty of years ahead to socialize and if their not ready, then it's not for them but for you. Relax and let him come around in his own time. He will.
Best Regards,
C.

I was going to say the park; however, it might be a bit cold now. Any neighbors? Also, I know there are some playgroups in diff cities. You may want to do a search online. I found one i rockwall when I was on maternity leave. they would do something once a week - diff activities.

ask the group at church if they would mind getting together one or two days a week for play dates. they might have friends that could join too. good luck.

I wouldn't worry to much at this point either. At 2, generally kids don't play with each other. They're still doing the parallel playing. I don't think mine actually played with other kids until he was closer to 3 (and he was in a MDO and playgroups).

I'd also recommend joining a MOMS Club. It's inexpensive and you would be able to get into a playgroup and, most importantly, get out and meet other moms. Most activities are free or low cost. A MDO is nice .... for the mom. I think it's really just a break for you and not so much for the child at this age.

When my son was about 6 months old, I joined a local MOMS Club organization to help him and myself socialize with other stay-at-home moms. The MOMS Club is an international organization that has local chapters throughout the world. Go to their web site, and there is a place where you can enter your information. The organization will contact you about a chapter that is in your area. Here's the site:

http://www.momsclub.org/

There are other groups that would help you and your son interact with other moms who stay-at-home and their children, such as MOPS. You might try looking in your newspaper or search online. For me, the MOMS Club has been a blessing, and I've made life long friends and so have my children. I've been a member for over 5 years, and I was able to help my children have social time with other children without the cost of pre-school or mother's day out.

Hope this helps!
A.

Look for a MOPS group & go to Meetup and check out DFWmamarama moms meetup group.

depending on where you are, try to find other stay home moms with kids around his age and try to get together a few times a week with him. I am in Saginaw and I have a 4, 2 and 9 month old. If you are close, I would love to have you guys come play with us. We have ascheduled out day to get different activities going.

I joined the Hip Mommy and Me Meet up group of Allen through www.meetup.com. It's great because most of the meetups are held at someone's home or a location that is free or low cost, and you can be there with him while he is playing with other kids. The moms are great and it's also nice for me to have adult conversation during the day. They have events for all different age groups and there is something every day so you can pick and choose which events you want to attend. I love it and have met some really great moms.

I have taught preschoolers 2-5 for many yrs at church and find that 2 yr olds do not interact much when they are together. If older children are with them, they might encourage and sometimes force the little ones to join in. Two yr olds will sometimes watch each other, but seldom play "together" at this young age. I have 3 grandchildren aged 2 and under and when they are all together, they interact with the adults not each other. Do not be concerned that he is not around other children.

There are many mom groups you could join that get together during the day and have play dates. I personally think this for the benefit of the mother more than the child until the child is 3 or 4.

Look for a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) chapter in your area.

http://www1.mops.org/web/web_group_search.php

This organization is a worldwide one where the goal is to give you the tools you need to raise a successful family. For a small fee each semester, you get great programming for you and child care provided for your child. It's a great way to recharge your batteries and help your child interact with other children while supervised by caring adults. Our chapter meets 7-8 times a year, for 2.5 hours--the rate is $60! Not a bad investment, and scholarships are sometimes available. You both get some personal time to meet new people!

Good luck!

I would suggest joining a mom's group or playgroup. While it may seem early, your child does need to learn how to interact with other kids. Otherwise, it may be a difficult transition when he does go to school. My daughter is also 2 and has learned how to share and play with others by being around other kids. Not only does it help the kids, but it is great for the adults to have someone to talk to during the day. You might try www.momsclub.org

Why are you worried? After all he is only two. Children come to stages naturally and should not be pressured, especially at two to do something they are not developmentally ready for.
At this age kids generally play side by side and fling an occasional shovelful of sand at one another!
Take him to the local park to run around. He'll see other kids and when the time is right, will fall into playing with them. You say you work with other moms. Do they have kids? Get them together once a week. The kids don't have to be the same ages. There is nothing more boring for a two year old than a bunch of other two year olds. If he has a four year old to look up to and learn from, now that's fun! Try not to worry, you have a happy healthy child who will make friends when he's ready.

Playgroups!! Form a weekly playgroup! good luck.

Some people, including 2-year-olds, are simply not sociable. It's been my experience that they aren't really and truly interested in interacting with other kids until a bit later. I don't think you have anything to worry about. He could still benefit from being around other children. You need to find moms with little ones and organize a playgroup.

HI, I understand about money being tight. We're there too. What about setting up play dates -- one-on-one -- with a couple of kids from church a couple of times a week? Are there other kids in the neightborhood around the same age? You can visit with the parents and let the kids play before setting up play dates. Do you have a mall nearby that has a play area in it? Take him a couple of times a week. This are just idead off the top of my head at 7 AM. I wish you luck.

Do he have any developmental delay? Can he point, wave, and talk? When he sees a new toy does he reference back to you? At 2 he is likely still doing parallel play but should have some interest in other children. If you see any warning signs you might consider contacting Early Childhood Intervention.

You don't have to pay to find other kids for your son to interact with. Go to the park, or even an indoor "park" like McDonalds or something. Ask here at Mamasource if anyone lives in your area. Ask to begin volunteering in the nursery at church so you can get to know some of the kids in his class . . . and invite them over. When you are in an environment with other children around - help your son out by taking him over to one of the better behaved children and introducing them. STick around and play with both of them until your son feels comfortable then back off a little and let him take it from there. He'll learn to be social from you. Don't worry too much about it - he's only 2. Be thankful that he is independent enough that he doesn't require a "friend" to have fun. You're doing a great job, don't be discourage.

Playgroups are awesome for socializing both you and baby!! Check out meetup.com to find one near you!

Not sure where you live, but I second checking out meetup.com for playgroups. There are tons of them on there and many of the events are held in home so they are free of charge. Good luck!

I wouldn't worry about it. I too stay at home with my 2 yr old. Same thing for him, he's not interested in the other kids. The time will come, though. I think it takes time. He will begin to pay games and interact when he is ready. I can see my son slowly starting to do it. you can go places wehre other children are present, like the library read times or public playgrounds when moms groups meet. He may just need more opportunities to interact. But again, he will when he's ready.

I vote MOMS Club too. I am Admin VP of the Denton South chapter and it has been great for me and my son. Activities are free (with the exception of a few but you don't have to go to those..I usually don't). Like my president said the dues are only $25 a year so it is well worth it, and they can be waived it that is the only thing stopping you. Good luck! We would love to have you.

K.

Number one I would not worry about what the mom said about a developmental delay. Don't panic. My son is almost 3 and has never been to day care, etc. We tried it once and he made himeself sick, he was so upset. When it is nice he goes to the park. My in-laws (who are the ones that watch him during the day), also enrolled him in swim lessons at the local rec center. They also go to story time at the local library. Look into classes at your rec center, they are normally really cheap. Also look up your local library for toddler story time.

T.,
I am sorry that you are having this problem I know that it can be frustraing. Where exactly do you live? I run a play group for working and stay at home moms and it is a really good place for moms to hang out with eachother and also to let the kids play together. My son really enjoys the play group and gets to interact with the kids even though he stometimes stays back and I'm not sure why. I live in Anna and my group is based here but we have alot of moms that live in McKinney and Melissa and the sourroundig areas. All that I could tell you is to try and find a play group in your area. Let your son learn to interact with children by just being around them more often. Soon enough he will come around. If you do live in the area please let me know and we can talk about the group!

Thanks,
N.

Go to local parks with other kids there. See if there are any moms groups through yourchurch to have playgroups for your child. Invite children from church for a playdates. There are lots of things you can do that don't cost anything! Ask around and see what's available!

I am the President for the MOMS Club in Denton. I don't know where you live but there should be one near you. They do everything during the day and you are always encouraged to bring your child. They (we) do alot of playgroups, field trips, and other activities to allow child & mommy to socialize and be with peers.

Our club is $25 for the year, which is about average. But if needed they can waive your dues.

Try googling MOMS Club and when you get their webpage it will walk you through finding the closest club near you.

There are loads of mom's groups. Preston Trail Community Church has a mom's group that meets once a month. You could meet a few moms and form a weekly play group. When my kids were that age I spent at least one day a week with other moms I met at a park. The kids played for about 2 to 4 hours and we would order pizza and just let our kids play while the moms talked.

Keep in mind that two year olds play next to each other, not really with each other. That actually doesn't happen until a little later. I have a 2 year old girl and a 1 year old boy, and they are not involved in any MDO/daycare programs. But I am in a mom's group and a couple Bible studies that have child care where they get to go and play. If you want, take them to a park and meet some local kids, get together with people from church whom you already know. We finally put our daughter in a dance class at the city rec center (6 class for $31) so things like that are also an option. Just remember that kids develop at their own pace, and you shouldn't feel pressured to speed anything up, that can actually cause more harm than good.

Good luck!

find a playgroup for him. this will give you a chance to watch his behavior and give him a chance to play with other kids his age. there is also mops. mothers of preschoolers. it is either free or very cheap. you get together at a church with other moms and the kids go off to play together.