Extremely Cautious Toddler-How to Help

I agree with Melissa W and would repeat everything she said in my answer! Very well said. =)

Katie, your answer is very good information, too. It's so great to hear that those shy toddlers DO mix well when they go to school. I have two 3-year olds with very similar situations - never been in a "school" of any sort, and they just don't seem entirely ready. We are taking it slow and are okay with that.

Thanks!
J.

I 2nd or should I say 3rd Melissa as well. ")
Children really don't need to be so socialized at such a young age. I think that their world should remain small and safe until they are older and able to have a better foundation of self.
Best Regards,
C.

I don't want to weigh in on whether or not you should send her to MDO, but I do want to give some advice if you decide to do it. Two days a week is absolutely better than 1. We are doing 1 with my littlest now and it is hard for her because there is such a big time gap between when she goes. I have been picking her up after just a few hours - not letting her stay the whole time since it seems to be a little rough for her. The last thing you want is them to be stressed and then not nap. If you put yours in, I would just pick her up early for a little while - that lets mom and baby adjust a little easier!

I would hesitate to push her into something. Honestly, that socialization thing is made into a huge deal when it really shouldn't be. Your little one is learning about others & interacting with them on a daily basis, unless you all are hermits. ;) She doesn't have to be in a room with 10 other kids, out of her comfort zone, without mommy to learn how to get along.

I think you probably just have a reserved little sweetie who needs a bit extra help to feel comfortable. That doesn't mean she's going to be dependent on you forever, unable to do anything without you. On the contrary, the more support you give her, the better she'll be. If she knows that when she runs off to play you are close by she'll feel better about it. She'll be better equipped to gain independence because it's not a scary thing. Make sense?

None of my girls have ever attended a MDO or pre-k or daycare. They are, however, normal & well adjusted & completely able to get along with other children. My three year old has no trouble leaving me to do gymnastics. My 8 year old is able to walk into a gymnasium of children she's never met for our homeschool co-op & tell me, "I'll introduce myself. Bye!"

Follow your heart & your mommy instincts & you'll all do great. And don't let that nasty "S" word worry you. :)

Try Gymboree. You are there with her so it is a safe environment in her comfort level and she gets to play and learn with directed activities. It has done wonders for my daughter!

Hi there L.,
I just enrolled my daughter in PDO on September 1st and she is 2.5 also. A little background, I am a SAHM and she was hardly ever away from me, EVER. If she was, she probably didn't even know it, I left her once or twice with my parents and she was asleep! Anyway-- our PDO program is also from 9-2 two days a week and it seemed like something that was good to start with since she had never been away from me and really needed to start learning to interract with kids her own age. So my clingy, shy, quiet little daughter is having a blast at "school" its all she talks about. If you have any more questions or want to know more about our experience I would be glad to share, you can e-mail me at ____@____.com, I was SUCH a wreck when I took her the first day! I am sure you will make the right decision either way!