Encouraging DS to have lots of friends - how?

[WipsGlitter]

DS made a 'best friend' in nursery, went on playdates. All fine. They are now in P1 (age 4) and are still friends. But I get the feeling sometimes that the best friend isn't as keen on DS as he is on him. So DS will be running after him in the playground wanting him to play but in a new game, not joining in the existing game.

I keep telling DS to play with everyone and to 'let people do their own thing'.

It's not that I don't want him to be friends with this boy (he's lovely!) but more I don't want all his friendship eggs in one basket - if that makes sense.

Should I try inviting some other children for playdates?

It's really early days yet - they take quite a while to find their feet with friendships sometimes.

We found a good way to make friends is by doing an out of school activity where one or two from the class go. That way they tend to stick together a bit and get to know one another. Quite a lot of them seem to get into football by age 5/6.

Asking others round to play can be good, but might be better to wait until he's started playing a bit with someone. Can be a bit of a nightmare to have another 4 year old round if they don't get on.

It takes a while for them to pick up that if they only want to play their own game, they won't have people to play with. Mine's in year 2 and some of them still don't get that one. I guess it just takes time.