Hmmm, dont know what to think, need some input please ladies.
JJ is frightened of other children. Especially in a playground scenario. He will not go onto climbing frames if other children are on them, and he will run away (and hide between my legs) if any child chases him or otherwise 'plays' with him. He is particularly fazed by loud, confident children.
He is also frightened of babies (crawling) so it isnt just 'bigger' children.
At playgroups he seems okay, but plays alone and doesnt really interact. During 'playdates' he occassionally interacts (smiles/laughs/plays) with the other child/children. In a small group he fares much better with older children.
He is with me 6 out of 7 days (at a childminder for one day per week), and together we go to various playgroups, friends houses, playgrounds etc. I am always comforting and accepting when he is frightened.
Any advice/input would be massively appreciated. Im hoping to hear it's just a phase (I think this is what it is) and any advice on how to help JJ through it would be appreciated. I am also, however, prepared for any horror stories/ concerns xx

Omar doesn't act well in crowd. He's higly sensitive & he prefers to play in smaller groups of children. In play areas he still refuses to play when there are lots of kids around regardless their age, even when he goes into the bouncy castle where there are lots of kids he asks me to join or he takes a less crowded corner.

He still doesn't interact with kids he doesn't know. Even in classes, when we go to the open day every thursday he doesn't join in as it's always crowded & he prefers to sit on my lap to watch from far. he's much better in our regular classes when there are 4-5 kids in the class as he's familiar with them

Omar doesn't look scared but he prefers his own space around kids, even when we visit friend's, he plays with 1 kid only (most of the time with my friend's DD who's similar to him)

He still prefers to interact with adults & older kids (8-10 yrs) but not in a crowd.

Willow has always been "reserved"
she is more of a watcher.
As she has gotten older she is getting more confident about joining in with other children in the playground for example.
I found, the more i pushed her to interact, the more reserved she got so instead i just encouaged her but if she wanted to hide behind my legs i let her and gave her lots of encouraging cuddles. If she wanted to just watch, i was fine with that and i found it really gave her the confidence to come out of her shell a little more

the other day at the park she was on the roundabout and 3 other little girls of various ages got on and they all peddled it around and Willows little face lit up and she watched them whilst being on the roundabout as well smiling constantly, it melted my heart!!!!!
she loved being with the other girls and playing with them so she has definatly grown within herself.

TBH lots of noisy children scare me too so i dont blame him for being unsure lol!
xxxxx