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When do children start making friends? Should I be concerned about 3yo DS?

1 reply

teamnomistake · 15/12/2011 15:06

My DS (3.2) is a happy affectionate little boy, but doesn't seem to bond or play with other kids much. I know it tends to be parallel play for a long time, but am wondering if he should be starting to make actual friends.

We moved to a new city a few months ago and in the old place there were other children that he saw regularly that he did seem to have a bond with - they would look excited to see each other and play together as much as 2 year old can be expected to.

Now there don't seem to be any kids that he does that with. I've made a few new friends with similarly aged children, but he doesn't get excited when we meet up, he mainly just ignores them and plays on his own. He started going to nursery in October and I thought that would give him a great opportunity to make friends but the teacher reports that although he doesn't have any problems with the other children, he doesn't seem to be particularly friendly with anyone.

I'm starting to feel sad for him, but don't know if I'm just overthinking and he'll make proper friends when he gets older. Any words of wisdom? Is there more I could do?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
naturalbaby · 15/12/2011 15:16

my 3.7yr old has been in nursery since september and is quite shy. i wouldn't say he's made friends and i don't think it's an issue at this age. he does a lot of parallel play, runs alongside other kids, watches everyone but takes a while to join in but that's just how he is anyway. we were told he didn't seem to bond with anyone but i've had a few parents since telling me their kids talk about my ds and one of them said they seem to be good friends at nursery so i'm sure your ds is forming some attachments and friendships at nursery.

I'm really hoping my ds will go to school with most of the kids from his nursery so that should help.

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