My 2 year old doesn’t know how to play with other little children around the same age!!

My little boy is the same, he loves to watch and follow older kids but gets shy and awkward around kids his own age. Admittedly outside of his small daycare, he doesn’t know any other kids as young as him, so I don’t know if it’s just because he doesn’t know how to interact with them or if it’s just a phase

I think it’s just a phase? Like even at nursery they with play ‘together’ it’s more like side by side play (half the time just tolerating the other person there haha) x

It’s normal at that age. Most two year olds are awkward and don’t initiate play very well. My daughter is 3 and still prefers older kids because they lead the play. She still asks for help, so I usually introduce her to the kid in question and ask if she can play. Sometimes I have to facilitate play for both kids and then when they’re comfortable, I back off and they take it from there.

Older children often know how to start games and interact. Younger children don't. That's why they just stand and watch.
They don't know how to start the interaction.

That's where it's your job as a mum to talk to them both and start off a game x

It's normal at this age for them not to just find someone and become friends. It isn't till about 3/4 that they become better at it. But at this age staring at each other and running is them playing together 😂