Dd (3) doesn't know how to join in...

[MishMooshAndMogwai]

...and it's heartbreaking to watch!

She's 3 and a half and an 'old soul', she has friends and likes imaginative play with them but in situations like soft play and playgrounds even at quiet times with just a small group of friends she's always the one that's left out.

I don't know If it's a confidence thing or because physically she's slower at getting around the equipment and gets left behind so gives up.

People tell me that she's fine and it'll change when she gets to school. Nursery say that she's fine and joins in when she wants to. I just hate the thought of her being lonely and feeling left out :(

Ahh my dd is like this she is a bit younger tho (2.5) she would be in heaven if her little friends played doctors/tea parties etc but most kids just want to run/climb/jump etc. went to soft play today and she was totally left behind by all the other toddlers as she is frightened by most of it.
Went to the park the other day with a little friend and said friend went bombing round park, up and down things etc and all dd wanted to do was pretend to play shop keepers. I too worry that she isn't coming across as much fun so is left out.
I do think tho that maybe starting school will be a good thing as more kids so maybe more like minded kids??? Who enjoy similar things?
I hope my dd goes to same school as yours as they sound like they would get on!!

They do don't they!

Apparently my brother used to hate those situations and tell my mum that 'children can be so silly!' Lol and she is very much like him in a lot of other ways. I think she wants to join in she just doesn't know how.

She's always preferred the company of adults and nursery has encouraged her around children a lot but she just seems like a socially awkward little misfit!

I really don't know how to encourage her more than I do, school seems like a long way to wait for her to be included in things!