Primary school starters - kids don’t want to play

[JMC2025]

My little boy is starting school in September and has had a few induction days now, today he was really sad because another child he goes to nursery with told him to go away and didn’t want to play when he tried to play with him. He was so upset about it at the time but I’m definitely more upset, I feel like I could cry! Maybe pregnancy hormones 😂

I know kids will be kids but how can I help him understand it’s okay and he can ask to play with other kids - I just want him to be happy and make friends. He does struggle to make friends x

We have had similar - we encouraged our DD to ask the teacher for help joining in with others. They were very good about it and did help her.

Ah OP, I get why that's so sad to see. During free play I would always watch and often set up a board game or something which I would play and invite children who were finding it trickier to join in so we could model playing together. Please mention it to the teacher, im sure they would be more than happy to help.

Thank you! I will speak to the teachers when he goes back next time. X

omg i feel you, this would break my heart (the thought of my LO going to school next year is making me feel physically sick!!!!!) Talking to the teacher is a good idea. I’m sure they’re seen this all before. That’s really sad the nursery kid said that :( kids will be kids but still. At least you can be wary of this kid now and hopefully yours will make some new fiends anyway!

That’s just the way children express themselves when they are four. They can’t say ‘I’m happy here doing this puzzle’ or ‘’I’m not interested in duplo but would you like to go on the bikes instead’ so they say ‘I don’t want to play with you’.