AIBU to find a group of small boys just chatting at the playground unusual?

[ShedShedShed]

We go to the local playground most days, and observe the kids generally and know some dog them etc.
What stands out to me is a little group of boys 6,6,6 and 8. They always just stand around talking. Occasionally will sit on swings and chat. Never seem to actually play unless and adult leads them in something like hide and seek or chase. It's like they're teenagers but without the larking around 13 year olds do between chatting.
It's bizarre to me, my DS is 7 and plays with others, racing, helping on monkey bars, playing pirates, football by himself or with others. This group he doesn't play with because they just want to stand around talking about whatever it is they talk about.

Is this usual behaviour you'd expect?

I walked past my local park to day, and saw 3 little girls sitting on the grass outside of the park chatting away, no more that about 8.
I dont see whats wrong with it
All kids are different op.
I use to be the same i didnt want to play all the time i was happy giggling and chatting about barbies.

You have projected some bizarre assumptions onto these children. They are enjoying each other's company and most importantly, minding their own business.

So a group of children seem to be enjoying themselves, but not in the way you believe is the right way?

How nice that youngsters can just chill out chatting to each other. Not causing trouble, not annoying other people. Leave them alone!!

You need to have more information.
It could be the only time that all 4 of them can get together to talk about something they all have in common (a sport, collector cards, some toy or other).
Maybe they spend ages at the park playing with siblings or other children and this is their chat time.

Or it could be that they never get any physical exercise.

I just find it unusual.

I was just wondering if this was common elsewhere and if they're are a minority at that age it not.

No-one seems to have answered this,. just decided that I'm being judgemental. Which I guess I am, but I just wondered...

It’s pretty cute that they can talk to each other!! It’s socially much easier to run around being silly or kicking a ball than it is for that age group to talk, so it’s cute. I love seeing my kids in a group talking. It doesn’t mean they don’t play sport every day. I am finding it hard to understand why someone would judge this, as judging you clearly are.

Nerds in training? Who cares? What a weird thing for you to even raise. How do you know their ages anyway?

Unless they’ve been locked in a cupboard their whole lives I’m pretty sure they will know how to use a climbing frame and a slide. They obviously just preferred, on this day, to chat. It’s the opposite of ‘iPad kids’. iPad kids are probably more likely to seek fast and furious constant entertainment. If they can chat in a group then they have great social skills. Everyone enjoys different things and can also vary from one day to the next.

I think it’s sweet. Sounds like they’ve found their people.

6 year old boys are much more likely to need help having a conversation than they are running around. My socially awkward child jumps into ball games because that’s easy.

OP, You must be aware that not everyone is alike and that the world needs humans with diverse skills and interests. I think it is sweet that they stand and chat. If they were glued to phones and not communicating I'd worry. But standing around having conversations - that's a good thing.

Or it’s like… that they want to chat.

You want us to congratulate you that your child runs around and other kids prefer to chat? What a bizarre post.

I’m a primary school teacher and do break duty twice a week. It’s very normal. Some children play on the equipment, others play their own imaginary games, some do gymnastics, some stand and chat, some sit and chat, some chat to the adults. Children are different and enjoy different things, it’s not unusual at all. I also don’t know why this has piqued your interest so much?

@ShedShedShed does your DS have the social skills to sit and chat with his peers?

OP wanted to boast about how well her own kid plays and it backfired massively 😂 if lots of people are telling you you’re weird OP then you’re probably weird!

My kids have played every game under the sun with me, I’ve modelled how to play, how to take turns, how to initiate etc. I’m literally post grad educated in childcare and when we go to the park my kids chat to their friends and that’s just fine. Your kid is also fine but not better.

Exactly. Op, if we were to ‘judge’ your child at their chatting and socialising skills how would they score.

Leave other kids alone

No.

I'mjust asking if it unusual.... We go to the same playground, do have no other frame of reference.

I can only assume it is unusual as nobody has actually said so.

Sounds lovely to me. They don't need to be told how to play. They've decided they want to chat so are a group of sweet boys who don't need to prove anything to anyone else. At least they're not all sitting on their phone. Which is unlike most adults these days.

Yea sorry I dont know the answer. I didnt really take much notice of the type of fun other children were having to ensure I approved of it.

He's fine thanks.

I just was wondering if it's unusual...and it clearly is....

Are you sure they're not playing? At that age my two and another boy used to spend hours playing an imaginary game that seemed to involve making up fantastical stories together. They would have looked like they were chatting and might have stopped to join in some other game that an adult persuaded them to join, but would have then gone back to their imaginary adventure.

They are probably discussing the rules of the game they'll play, when the rules are agreed!

So yes. It's clearly unusual that 6 year olds stand around chatting instead of playing in the playground.