5 year old playing alone

[SusanSmith]

My 5 year old boy prefers to play alone that with other children. Not all the time but it has been mentioned by the school. He is an only child & is happy with himself. We play with him at weekends but he is happy doing his own thing.

Is thia normal or do we need to do something???

dd1 also liked playing on her own quite a bit in Reception - not all the time, like your ds. Her Reception teacher - who is also an authority on Early Years in our Borough - said it was perfectly normal, and meant nothing at this age. She predicted that friendships would blossom around Easter time...they often take that long, from starting in new environment...and she was absolutely right.

dd (not an only, btw) is now 7, in Y2, and part of a group of girls with strong friendship bonds - very much a team player, etc. She isn't one of the 'intense 1-1 best friends only' girls, but part of a group - for which I'm mostly grateful but her relationships are meaningful and close.

HTH a little...

Thanks :)

My son is an only child who is very happy playing alone. I did worry about this until and old friend pointed out that he was simply confident and had the self assurance to opt in and out of activities that engaged him. When he does make friends it is because he genuinely likes another child. Don't worry!

Thanks, I've never really thought it was an issue until his teacher mentioned it today.

Hello I'm new here- 1st post. What a relief! Having been a "House Husband" (I hate the term)since my son was 6months and finding it difficult to make friends with other mothers, my son has a very small circle of friends.

He to mostly prefers to play on his own, although this dosnt seem to worry him; it did me tho but after reading these reply's I'm less worried.

Chris

Some children can't bear to be alone and amuse themselves.

They have to have constant attention and amusement. They are often clingy and demanding.

I would be much more worried about this.

I think children who can keep themselves busy and amused are very often far more mature and resourceful.

So long as they have a mix of the two - time to play with friends and times to just do their own thing, then that is a healthy balance.

It's fine as long as he can access group play if he wants to

teacher at parents evening has just said 7 year old is noticed not joining in at playtime staying by teacher's side. in class teacher asks her to help others when she has finished her work-is this a good idea? her best friend moved into another class last year but I don't know if this is relevant. she doesn't play on her own -prefers the teacher's company. Should I worry? any ideas integrating her?

mine was very on his own in reception but it was linked to exhaustion/being overwhelmed and not having the energy to be the normal fun/out going person he is. fast forward a year or two and he has a good range of nice friends and has blossomed.