Reception friendships

[EverybodysSleepyEyed]

DS is in a small year group. He has friends for play dates and they seem to get on well but he often tells me;

• he plays on his own a lot
• when he tries to play with others they say he can't
• the boys he does play with it is only certain games
• he is sad because he doesn't have a best friend

Is this normal at this age? Or should I talk to the teacher?

For me the reception year is all about learning to develop social bonds and I'm worried he may not fit in or may not know how to interact. i was a very shy child and am socially awkward so I know I am projecting some of my fears onto him

My son had a few problems with a boy in his class and his teacher was very helpful. She suggested various strategies for resolving it and did a session in class about friendships. Have you spoken to the teacher? My son hardly tells me a thing, perhaps what goes on is different to how he describes it?

DS tells me quite a lot but yes - 5 year olds aren't reliable witnesses!

He seems happy enough and it isn't one particular child. he just doesn't seem to have a close friend

eg, every week on the way to PE he either ends up on his own, sat with a yr 1 boy or a random from his class!

I don't think the boys as a very general rule do have best friends in the way you're thinking, and at reception they're not usually set in stone anyway. My memory from my dd's is that it's end of year 1 to year 2 when the children start making the closer friendships.

My ds talks about about 6 different boys in his class with equal enthusiasm, and there's 3-4 girls he's probably equally fond of, so about a 1/3 of the class he would say he's friends with.

Thanks

I guess I have noticed a few of the boys DS says are best friends do seem to have the relationship encouraged by their parents.

I think I am just worrying for nothing - thank you!

I worry like mad about DS making friends too.

As you say a lot of the "best friends" are likely to be encouraged by parents.....

Is hard not to worry isn't it?

yes! i worry that i'm projecting my childhood gripes onto him

i just want him to be happy!

I know, it is so hard. I am always asking DS "who did you play with today?"

me too

I got

just a group. X pushed me over and it hurt. When Y was pushed over I helped him up but no one helped me up

sob!