Socialisation ❤️

Hey! My little one is 7 months but his adjusted age is 4 months so we typically don’t let him around other kids that much anyway. But we try to take him for walks or take him to the park where he watches older kids play! His doctors and none of his therapists have mentioned any concerns for socialization

They only start playing with each other at around 2.5/ 3 - playgroups are fine till then - find toddler groups if it’s younger babies at the groups you go to

I’ve tried toddler groups when my toddler was younger she’s 18 months now. She didn’t get on very well in baby groups or even when she was walking she wasn’t showing any interest in socialising or playing at baby groups like she would do at home or at the park. When she was 15 months I signed her up to swimming lessons and after a month or two she started sharing with the younger ones that was in her group she still finds it hard to share when she sees her second cousins but I think swimming lessons is a good start and they also can start for three months and up. My little one adjusted age is 17 months x

We do playgrounds or petty zoos a few times a week, and the children’s museum once in a while. Most local libraries do a weekly story time for kids 0-2 or 0-5. I like taking my son (19 months) to ones that have some older kids too because they are more likely to socialize with him. In my experience at his age and younger they just kind of stare at each other 😂

Also in terms of filling your day, I find it helps to break the day up into parts that consist of either independent play, structured play/education, and outdoor time/ outings if we go somewhere. It can get mind numbingly monotonous so giving yourself and your lo a variety of things to do and ways to play helps. Best of luck on your new journey!

Check local council/childrens centres for any toddler groups or stay and plays. Local churches often run these as well. Libraries and free museums are great. My LG is 15 months and we go to stay and plays/toddler groups 3ish times a week and the other days we go into town, or go to the park/shop/library/a walk. Also have made some mum friends with similar aged children so we do days out or plate dates. She’s a very sociable outgoing little girl. I find once we had our nap schedules and meal times there’s not that much time to structure the rest of our day! Main gap is after lunch and before second nap, which is lucky as that’s when most of her groups run. When she moves to one nap I don’t know what I’ll do 😭

It doesn't matter before 1, from 1-2 playing with "friends" (random kids) at the park is fine. Around 2.5 they like to have friends that they know their name and what they look like, the connections can be pretty weak. Even if they don't play a lot together, they just like to know what to expect. By then, you'll have had plenty of time to find a group you like. Just keep trying until you find a group you like or some friends you click with.

@Anna not sure what adjusted age means but why would you not let him play with other children 🤔

I am home with my 10 month old. We go out with other babies 4-5x a week! My lil one has been getting together with other babies since about 3 months old and looooves to be around other kids of any age. Check your local library and community center. My daughter loves baby story time and Zumbini. It’s only about an hour 1-1.5 hour of your day and for us pretty easy to work in!

Check your local library. Most have story time groups and play time afterwards. It's usually free, and you can meet new moms there too. But most toddlers do parallel play until 3 yrs old. Parallel play is playing next to each other and not interacting much.