my ds1 (5) has been in school for 10 months and just had to say goodbye to best friend who has moved away. He is a very loving, bright, sensitive and highly strung little thing and we are worried about how he is coping with things in general. he is very good at drawing and writing and we have always put all his drawings up on the wall - but since a very annoying child came to play over the summer and said they were rubbish he has since not wanted to put any on the wall or puts crosses through them saying they are rubbish. just before half term he told us one his friends has been kicking him and he if i ever need to tell him off (which is rare usually due to taking turns with toys with ds2 or safety issue) he will then call himself names or pull his own hair. on one occasion he even pinched his forehead until it bled and ds2 (2)is now starting to copy. most of the time he is very happy but worry that lifes new challanges including criticism are really affecting his confidence. I have talked to the teacher about the kicking and they said they will keep an eye. really after some coping stratagies and ways to help him relax - he goes swimming, biking and has a trampoline. i tell him these other peoples opinions aren't important or if he feels upset to talk it away, write it away, bounce it away etc. have encouraged other friendships inviting other children over. also with new friends now facing the whole toy gun thing which i find difficult as i have to think of ds2. i worry that i have over protected him and he is now struggling to stand up for himself. any ideas or experience of this?