Age. And it doesn’t end at 18 mo! It’s very normal for young kids to be very attached to their primary caregivers. With time you can facilitate a closer relationship with grandparents and others, but many kids take until 3, 4, even 5 (basically when they acclimate to a school environment) before they lose that really acute stranger danger. It’s normal and doesn’t mean they are naturally shy or will struggle to make friends.
In fact, the best indicator that they will be able to form friendships snd positive relationships with teachers and other authority figures is a secure, trusting attachment with their primary caregivers as babies/toddlers/preschoolers. It affords them a sense of security and permanence and offers a safe space in which to develop relationship skills. Sounds like your kid is doing great!
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