DS2 havign a problems making friends

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

DS2 has just started reception and is having real problems socially. DS1 says he sees him playing with children etc and he loves school and is happy and progressing really well.

However, he regularly says he has no friends and often says if the person he is playing with plays with someone else he just plays by himself rather than play too.

He is very sensitive he started crying when he told me some older boys were calling him names and when I asked what he said , karate kid!

I am looking for some books that might help him understand that the children he does play with can be his friends. He had a very core group of friends at nursery which I think has made it harder.

All suggestions gratefully welcomed.

[pregnantpause]

I have a similar situation. Teachers tell me dd is fine and plays with other children, but she has no specific friends and says she has none. It's heartbreaking. Hv suggested positive reinforcement in the way of reminding her that she has friends and that all the children are her friends 'there's your friend dd' 'all your friends are in class waiting for you' etc, but I'm worried that if I do this she will feel as though she can't tell me that she hasn't got friends or that x isn't her friend as she may get the impression that her having friends us important to me. So no advice really, but your not alone in the dilemma.

[InNeedOfBrandy]

I have found with my dc they say they don't have any friends but they actually do. Is there a boy or girl he ever says he likes? I would encourage having a friend round for tea every fortnight until he clicks with someone and they become "best friends".

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

His teacher was very understanding last night at parents evening and recommended lots of these ideas and is going to try and encourage him with the positive reinforcement.

PregnantPause - it is so sad. Our teacher recognises the same things that I do and has put together a little action plan.

I will get on to the playdates. He has had two with the same boy but then hides behind me when the boy says good morning.

[7to25]

My friend had to teach her son to make friends; to go up to other children on their own and to suggest that they play together.
it seems to have worked! he moved to a new school recently and now has a friend. sometimes boys respond to a set of instructions or a formula of what to do rather than rely on intuition.