Helping 3 year old to branch out a little at nursery?

[PennyRose0825]

My 3 year old has a lovely friendship at nursery with another girl. They really do love each other.
But nursery have told me that my little one doesn’t take it very well when her friend plays with others and gets quite upset. She also seems to have no interest in playing with anyone else.

It’s hard not being there to see it actually happen. When I take her out to soft play or playgrounds she loves making new friends and will almost always approach other children. But when it comes to nursery she keeps telling me she doesn’t want to play with anyone else, only her friend. If I try and gently encourage playing with other children she gets quite upset.

Can you organise play dates?

Out of curiosity, has she gone through the “theory of mind” development yet? She might not be recognising the friend’s autonomy yet. Once she does branching out will be easier. Also, situationally, Nursery can be a tricky environment and the friend is possibly part of her comfort system. It’s not as simple as play with others. It’s akin to sending her to bed without her comforter for example. Consider What role and function does the best friend fill and what else can replace this that might not only be other children?