I have 2 year old son and we took him to local kids fun fare this weekend He was so scared to see all the rides/slides etc (actually the slides were for children only so not really scary but they were bit noisey) also there were lot of people around.. Firstly he was not even ready to get down from me and just clinging but then slowly he got off and played with some toys (like blocks, sticks etc) but he was not at all ready to even look at any slides or other fun things..He was not even ready to go on big bouncers where as other kids younger to him even babies were happy to go for bouncer... It's not only this time but when we took him to water park before he was same - not ready to take new experience and that too not alone we are with him all the time and not pushing him alone rather encouraging him to take up slowly.. Any new things he just backs off and takes very long time to slowly may be get used to it and then he is alright... We just couldn't enjoy at kids fun fare at all because most of the times he was upset ... FYI He goes to day care so he is quiet social and his motor skills are good as he loves to climb on slides, seesaw and swings etc when he goes to park/at daycare. he is very happy child otherwise who is active and keen to learn etc... Its just that when it comes to taking any new experiences he is not upfront and mostly backs off... Is this common ? Please help
Sorry also wanted to ask what should I do to address it ?? Stop taking him to fun fares etc untill he is bit older ? or keep trying for anything like fares/circus/other fun things for kids.. ??
How does he behave when you take him to parties/get togethers? Were the kids screaming when they came down the slides? Did he see some kids crying? Kids are different at different ages. So will he be the same when he grows. May be not. With just one experience it is difficult to come to a conclusion.
He is quite ok when we go to friends place or parties rather he enjoys.. He is a bit shy to start with when he meets new person but within like 10/15 min he starts mingling... There were lot of people and noises especially from the rides/slides which just put him off the moment we entered tha place and he started screaming and got scared from the beginning...
Maybe discussing about what to expect, the fun about the place you are going to could prepare him a little. many kids even adults do not take it to new situations easily. my daughter who is 20 does not like crowds even today. he is still too small..how about trying the same on a working day when the crowds could be less and no competition or pressure..
@Udasgirl I agree with @Shanvy. My daughter is better receptive of new surroundings when I tell her where we are going and what she can expect. Of course I do not take her to a new place during her nap times or when she is hungry.
It is not very unusual to get scared when so many new stimuli are around and it is good if he behaves normally in social situations. I also subscribe to Shanvy's advice.