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Should I tell DS teacher that he has no or few friends?

6 replies

ragged · 20/02/2011 18:29

Is there any point in bringing this up? What could I ask them to do about it?
I know a long list of things I can try to do to change things, (but they may not work).
DS (y2) used to have a strong friendship circle.
He says he quite likes just playing on his own (that he mostly plays alone confirmed by older DD at same school).
But I'm afraid that he is vulnerable without a "gang", loners are always vulnerable to bullies. :(.

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mmsmum · 20/02/2011 23:45

If it's worrying you call the school explain your worries and ask to speak to his teacher or the head teacher, who ever they think is most appropriate. Chances are they will have noticed it too and if ds is alright on his own for now then don't worry, otherwise there might be another child, or group, that they can try to get him together with. Just be careful not to make him feel that wanting to be alone is something to be concerned about, if he is happy (and it sounds like he is) then leave him to it. He'll make friends again when he wants to.

ragged · 23/02/2011 09:25

Thanks.Any other thoughts? I wasn't going to bring it up until parent's eve (a month from now), if it still seems to be happening.

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redskyatnight · 23/02/2011 09:29

My Y2 DS also says that he mostly plays alone. However DD mentions that sometimes he plays with her or X, Y, Z. I suspect that actually he tends to play with different children depending on his mood, and sometimes on his own. I'm thinking that this is still quite young for strong friendships to have formed - (in boys, the girls seem to have made stronger bonds) so I am not bothered about the situation as I think in a year or two it may well change.

DS also mentions that a lot of the boys just play football - and he is not interested so that automatically means he misses out on a lot of potential playmates.

Does your DS seem bothered by his lack of playmates?

Nagoo · 23/02/2011 09:34

My DH says it is worth telling the teacher, as more schools have a'buddy system' where older kids are to look after smaller ones. Also he says that he could try to foster relationships as a teacher between children, and ensure that an eye was kept out for any bullying or such.

would type more, but 3 yr old wants to look at lego websites...

mummytime · 23/02/2011 09:52

YES!
One thing she can do is monitor (or get someone to monitor the playground, to see if he really doesn't play with anyone. My kids at times would tell me they had no friends, but when I sneakily observed they seemed fine. Although on one occasion when I told the teacher bluntly ny DD had no friends, observation showed she spent every break sitting in a corner reading.
Maybe they can introduce some organised games? My DCs school has had times when they have got groups of parents/grandparents etc. to go in and teach old skipping games etc. Singup also has an activity when a group of children teach others the songs they have been learning. There is often a friendship bench or a friends bus stop, maybe this could help?

If children do not feel they have any friends they will: a) feel less secure in the classroom, so be less likely to volunteer information and join in. b) be less happy so find it harder to learn.

I wouldn't wait until parents evening but talk to the teacher now, so that this can be something you discuss at parents evening.

seeker · 23/02/2011 09:56

Yes. My Year 5 ds is what his school calls a "junior play leader" and one of his roles is to start games with the KS1 children - the teacher in charge would make sure you ds was included if he wants to be.

But it is also quite possible to be happy on your own sometimes.

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