MOMS? How is your toddler in playgroups?

Its amazing how kids can be so different in social settings, amongst other children.

You dont know if they will be shy and sit in the corner and watch the others or if they will want to be the ones at the head of the group, holding the ball before anyone else gets it... You know what I mean....

Im sure they learn alot from watching other children at first and from just learning to defend themselves...

John Anthony used to be the one that got pushed to the ground by the 'bigger kids' and whose toys got taken away so easily and he'd just walk away half-crying (no tears)..
It seems over the past 4 months or so, he has 'Grown' in so many ways, and in some ways, Im hoping he calms down a bit...
Today, him and one other boy were fighting over a ball, and they were both hitting eachother (clash of personalities )
They were equally capable of defending themselves so neither of them would give in (as the other mommy and I both scolded our children ). He DOES understand how to 'do nice' and he does 'kiss' when he wants... but Ive noticed a little temper coming out, when he's in big crowds of kiddies and there's alot of 'competition'. Im sure its totally normal, but Im hoping he calms down a bit and gets easier with sharing and waiting his turn... but how is that possible to ask of a 16m old??? Hello, INSTANT GRATIFICATION mentality!
He does play nicely and is completely OBSESSED with balls of any size or color (and is VERY possessive if a ball is given to him!)
He will play for hours on a slide/climb combo thingie, and he loves to be around other kids, but if someone pushes that little button...

Anyone have tips or anyone in the same boat?

My Mom is a pre school teacher -- and tells me that it is very normal for children from 18 months to like 3 yrs old to not want to share and want all of the attention. AIdan is the same way . He plays very well with older kids like 3 and up -- but he does not play well with kids his own age.. They call it parallel play or something... When we are in a large group he is overwhelmed... But when it is only a few kids-- watch out -- do not touch his toys -- or he freaks out ! LOL I dont like this age at all.. I miss the baby days when is was so easy to make them happy!

Anna it is called parallel play. Children that age are not interested in sharing, as I'm sure you can tell These are the beginning stages of the dredded terrible 2's. A 2 year olds favorite word is 'MINE'. As he gets older you will see he will be able to share and to form friendships. If you continue with your job at the gym and the same children come in you will see that JA will gravite more towards certain 'friends'. It is so cute to watch friendships form

Here is an article on the forms of play

Forms of play

Thanks Stacey!

It really is interesting to see them gravitate toward certain children. JA loves two kids at the gym that are older than him. A boy (2 1/2) named Robbie, who he calls 'Bobby' and a girl named Jessica (2) who he calls 'keh kee kah'. and I never taught him their names, he made it his business to know their names! I thought that was pretty interesting too!

So far he hasnt used the word 'mine' yet, but Im sure its not far from those days He sure does demonstrate that he thinks everything is his

I just got a flashback from my Child Dev class. This stuff is sooo interesting!