2.5 year old friends

[Mouscadoo]

So I'm probably worrying for nothing but basically my 2.5 year DD is very outgoing. At the park or playground she will often approach kids and introduce herself and try to make friends. This is really lovely obviously and I'm so glad that she is this way.

This isn't boasting but she has always been a very good talker, she's definitely well advanced in language and I'm not sure if that plays a part. To more she's more like a 3/3.5 year old. But very often the kids her own age don't know how to take her because she is so forward. A lot of times they just stare at her or walk off and then I feel sad for her.

She does go to nursey but it's a small group and my partner brings her. She has never named anyone as a friend really. I don't have any friends with children so I wonder is she missing out? Just wondering did others children have friends around this age?

She's still young for 'friends'. At this age kids still tend to play independently while in close proximity of each other. Rather than playing together.

She's going to nursery, so she's around other children. Encourage her to make friends, but also teach her not to take it personally if they do wander off.

Please don't worry about it. Friendship doesn't really start for another few years. At age 2, 3, 4 children will happily play alongside whoever is there.

I'd say too young to have kids around to your house. A lot aren't toilet trained or would know you well enough.

However she sounds delightful, my little girl was like that too. She was always seeking out kids to play with wherever she went. She was happy with that though. She's 5 now still the same. I hope she doesn't change.

We only recently had some friends around for a play date and I think that's a normal age to start that. I also have 2yr old and she's just starting to tell me the names of the kids at nursery and who her best friend is as she calls it. Too cute.

I kept in regular contact with a couple of mums from my NCT group and DS was asking for these children often from the age of 2ish. But he didn't start talking about specific friends from nursery until after 3yo. So I wouldn't worry, I think they develop friendships earlier if you do 1:1 playdates and have you involved, but completely happy to play with whoever until much later. Even now DS has a couple of best friends in nursery, whom he talks about every day, he is not bothered when they're away and just plays with someone else.

@Lawazzalawoo yes I'm very glad that she's getting interaction with other children in nursery. She definitely seems to be seeking out others kids to play with. To be honest I don't usually know what to say when the children don't respond and she looks a bit sad, so I'll have to work on that.

@MajorCarolDanvers thanks for that, I was worried I wasn't providing her with enough opportunity to socialise!

@TheTeddyBears Aw that's good to hear. She is great, I'm so happy that she feels so confident at such a young age to approach people and chat away. She's really eager. Thanks for giving some perspective on it!