How can I encourage DS to be more independent and mix with his peers

[lilima]

DS has just turned 2. He basically hates it if I or DH are out of his sight. He follows me around the house, and if I leave the room and he can't find me, he cries.

Also he will not play with kids his own age. He will happily run around with older kids, but he almost seems frightened of kids his own age. If a child approaches him, he gets a little upset/anxious and moves away. Should I be concerned? Do you think that I need to have him assessed?
He has a nice nature, can be boisterous at times, is speaking at the correct level for his age, gives lots of cuddles and kisses, and listens to me well (as good as any 2 yo listens) He loves being read to, and playing run around games etc. I am an overly anxious person, and I am hoping to hear that this behaviour is normal.

[lilima]

I forgot to add that he was once hit by a child while at playgroup. This was about 4 months ago. Maybe that has something to do with it?

[Ellibam]

children dont play with other children until about 3.. so i wouldnt be to worried about that side of things he will play eventually (when they are doing something he likes)
if you are overly anxious that is where he is learning those behaviours from, you might step back in a group so he steps back to he is coping his mummy(his favourite person in the world)
maybe ask at his next check up but i think it is just the type of child he is! sensitive to change, loving and affectionate in his family group!

[Phteven]

It sounds very normal to me. At his age it's normal not to play with other children the same age - when children his age play together they tend to do parralel play which is where they will do the same activity side by side rather than beside each other.
Funnily enough one of the best ways to encourage independence is to let them stay as close as they want. The security of knowing that you're always there for him will give him more confidence to venture away when he is older.

[lilima]

Thanks for the advice. He doesn't even seem to want to parellel play with kids his own age. Will prallel play wiht older children (ie over the age of 3)
I suppose when I go to mothers group (and there are only 4 of us) The other 3 seem to follow each other around and interact together, and James just does his own thing, or sticks with me. If one of them get too close to what he is doing, he immediatly stops playing with the toy and runs to me upset

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

DS only plays with those children 3 or over - at Nursery they just let him play with the big children. If he gets upset then he goes back to the "baby" area until he's ready to play again. But he doesn't parallel play either with young children; he'll play, but not what they're doing and all by himself.

I know another young lad who has just become super clingy; his mother is pregnant too. Maybe it's sensing that you won't be there just for him any more? Which is not a bad thing; it's great he's doing it now rather than in 6m time.