I'm worried about my ds. His teacher at parents' evening described him as the class socialite as he plays with everyone but I have failed to see him play with any actual 'friends'. Every time I take him to parties he hasn't played with school friends but has gone off with an older sibling of party child or if we're in a public setting has made friends with other children. He hasn't ever seemed interested in kids his own age and even now he says that his friends in after school club are the oldest in school (he is reception). I really want him to bond with kids his own age as he will be with them for the next 13 years but he doesn't seem interested. I'd say he's probably more emotionally mature and aware than his peers as well as being academically brilliant (teacher's words not ours) so I'm wondering if this is hindering him. I don't want him to go through school getting along with everyone without having actual friends.
I'd love some advice on what I can do to help him bond with kids his own age. He loves interacting with adults and older kids so know he's not shy but just need to guide him to integrate better.