Should I try to socialize my toddler more?

Meery82 · December 2013

DS is 18 months and he goes to daycare 3 days a week, when I go to work. Every third week, I work Sunday, so he is home with DH or my mom and only goes 2 days that week. When I am off work, he is home with me, and DH part of the time. He has no siblings and is the only young child in our family. So he doesn't get much interaction with other children unless he is at daycare. Should I make an effort to get him around kids more often? He is a happy, friendly little guy and seems to play well with the kids at daycare. He does cry frequently when I drop him off, but I'm pretty sure that's normal. I just don't want to do him a disservice by not allowing him to interact with children his age. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks!

dancingmatilda · December 2013

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Your child is getting interaction. As long as he seems to do well when he is around other children you should be fine. I wouldn't worry unless you start seeing signs that he's socially awkward or not meeting developmental milestones he should be.

JENandJEH · December 2013

The only interaction DS2 gets with kids his age is usually 2 days of nursery school that's only 3 hours a day. Other than that, the only kids he really "plays" with are his big brother's friends who are 4 years older than him. We occasionally go to storytime at the library or a Kindermusik playdate at a local play place but even if we didn't do those, I wouldn't be worried about his lack of interaction with other little kids. I think his 3 days a week of daycare are probably plenty unless you are just wanting to get more involved in kid activities.

dufferoo · December 2013

Meery82 said:
He is a happy, friendly little guy and seems to play well with the kids at daycare.

What more could you ask for??

Meery82 · December 2013

jociejones said:

Meery82 said:
He is a happy, friendly little guy and seems to play well with the kids at daycare.

What more could you ask for??

I know, right? He's a sweetie!

Meery82 · December 2013

LalaMama81 said:

I don't think I'd worry - that's at least 2 days a week he's w/ other kids. And socialization isn't just about being around kids his age, but older kids, younger kids, adults, etc.

What do you do those other days? Surely he sees other kids at the library/zoo/playground/grocery store, etc.

Not a whole lot on other days. We are at home most of the time. We usually go on grocery store runs/shopping, family visits, etc. He sees another kid once in a while, but there isn't a whole lot of interaction. That's why I was wondering if I should be getting him around other kids more at this age.

beccalee721 · December 2013

He sounds well rounded to me! My LO has gone to daycare 5 days per week since she was 8 weeks old and still cries when I leave. So that's not a good indicator. He plays well with other kids when he's around them and gets a good mix of seeing everyone, I wish my LO had family to go visit more often like that!

ashiscute · December 2013

Does your library do story times? My kids love story time and since it's free it's no big deal if they aren't into at any given time. That would be a great thing to try to do with him once a week or so when you're home with him. We have a local bookstore that does them as well.

I don't think he needs more socialization but it's always fun to get out and take them places. This time of the year we are at our childrens museum A LOT!!

Meery82 · December 2013

ashiscute said:

Does your library do story times? My kids love story time and since it's free it's no big deal if they aren't into at any given time. That would be a great thing to try to do with him once a week or so when you're home with him. We have a local bookstore that does them as well.

I don't think he needs more socialization but it's always fun to get out and take them places. This time of the year we are at our childrens museum A LOT!!

I will have to look into that. There really isn't a ton of stuff like that for kids around where I live. A woman did tell me yesterday about a local park that has a Fun Shop with different types of play areas. I'm going to check that out, too.

Irishsapphire · December 2013

I was really worried that they did not do well at church nursery or in the toddler room. And it took time for them to adjust. Last February, my son (2 years old at the time) told me he did not like church. But he likes it now, and he has fun with it. We can drop him off without worrying. It is still hit or miss for my 20 month daughter. But she really likes if there is a slide (at a playground or at church). It brings out her happy go lucky side.

I took my son to Lil Kickers (baby soccer) when he was closer to 2 years old. We only did it three times, because it did not work out to do it every saturday. We started my son in swim lessons when he was 3 years old, and he has done well. And we did jr soccer for my son when he was 3 years old-he did not really get the game but he starting to kinda play the game--I think spring soccer will be better than this past fall season. And there is a Little Ninja (karate) that I want to enroll him in when he turns 4 years old.

Meanwhile, my almost 20 month daughter is in a Music Rhapsody class at a dance school. I was a little worried that she was antisocial, and I wanted her to have a class that she could interact with other kids. She has done well in that class. She is slowly maturing and interacting more in the class. And she is also in parent tot swim class on Saturday, but she really does not get the swim class. She has fun. It is more at this point she does not understand what they are asking her to do--she is too young.

As a parent, you want your kids to succeed in life and socializing is just part of that. It has been good to try different activities and social things with my kids. I think what I am really looking forward to as far the future is just finding what they love to do and just letting my kids be who they really are.

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