Toddler Won't Play with Other Children - Only Teacher

Honestly, it could be just timing. My oldest never displayed any aggressive tendencies but he didn't start pre-school until he was 4, but he VERY much preferred to play by himself, not so much preferred as was afraid to play with other kids (unless they were older, or it was one on one. He wouldn't go near a playground if their were other kids, no McDonald's playlands or anything of the sort. His preschool teacher was really worried that he had some degree of sensory disorder, he did great in school but just wasn't comfortable in groups of kids, it was like overload for him. Last year he started kindergarten and he was having trouble playing with the kids on the playground, I started out by telling him he didn't have to play with anyone but I wanted him to go out and go down the slide three times, he was in tears "I can't" well the next day he came home, "I didn't go down 3 times but I went down once!" and then I lavished praise on him for his accomplishment. It has taken time and little steps, we did a cooking class, a little gym class, and one semester of soccer, not all at the same time, just little things here and there to help his comfort level in social settings. He just started 1st grade this week and for the FIRST time, he's really done great, and part of that is the little things we've done along the way but part of it is just age. Good luck

Why don't you try taking him to a park on the weekend, that way you can spend time with him but you can also have him around other children. Take him to the swings or the slide or the jungle gym and let him start playing and then step back a little bit and let nature take its course. If another child seems him playing alone typically they will come over to play with him. Since he is not being forced to play at that point maybe he will join in the fun. You might even take a camera so that you can pretend you are busy taking pictures or video taping so that you "can't" play with him and help encourage him to play with the other kids.

You don't have to spend time away from him, join him in some activities if you have time. You can either meet your own friends who have kids and let them play while you visit or you can take him to places that have other kids playing...our town has a Discovery Center, parks, splash pads, etc Invite another family to go with you so the kids can play. You can also join him in things like Kindermusic, tumbling, etc He really does need to be around other children sooner than later. The daycare is a good start, he will just have to learn and maybe learn the hard way if he continues to bite and not play nice. Keep taking ot him at home and the teachers will continue to work on it at school.

W.

Look into something like My-Gym. At your sons age it is a parent/child activity. They interact with other kids, play lots of fun games and excercise. You won't miss out on alone time and he will interact with kids.