Encouraging 6yo DS to more positive social interaction?

[Echobelly]

DS is an August baby, and not especially mature for his age at that.

He is complaining that 'no one likes him', though when we name a few names of friends, he accepts they do like him. We think he tends to b not good at compromising, eg demanding things are done 'his way'. Also he still can be quite loud and repetitive, ie if people don't respond to him he shouts the same thing at them again 4 or 5 times, which we have told him is behaviour we don't like at home.

I think concrete examples might help to explain to him how to be a better friend, so I am wondering if there are any good ways to explain to a not-very-mature 7yo, or any books people might recommend to help him.

He is doing OK for friends at the moment, with a few noisy, lively, not-liking-football boys are still friends with him, but we do worry that they might mature ahead of him and leave him behind.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Two things that really helped my DS were Cricket and Beavers. Your local Cricket Club probably have sessions that he can join in over the Summer term if you give them a ring.

Have you spoken to his teacher about his concerns too? She may be able to help him. Could you encourage friendships by inviting a boy to tea?

[Echobelly]

He does have friends over, and is doing all right at the moment... I think we're mainly worried he might alienate more kids if more of them pull away from him in terms of maturity. At the moment his friends are mostly the less mature, more shouty types, with a few more quiet/grown up kids as well.

We've checked with the teacher before and they've said he seems to be OK for friends, if not the greatest at playing cooperatively.

He really doesn't like sports and isn't very coordinated. Well, certainly not football, but maybe cricket would be better for him, it might be worth a try and maybe more his pace than something more contact-heavy like football.

I've been looking at scout groups, which he'd like to do, but there's massive waiting lists everywhere around here and only a few nights/locations where we can manage the logistics.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Agree that cricket might suit him better. My DS has never liked the contact side of Football but has played cricket for a few years now. It also teaches them good sportsmanship which isn’t a bad skill to learn.

Definitely put him on the list for Beavers too