Reception friendships

[EverybodysSleepyEyed]

DS is in a small year group. He has friends for play dates and they seem to get on well but he often tells me;

• he plays on his own a lot
• when he tries to play with others they say he can't
• the boys he does play with it is only certain games
• he is sad because he doesn't have a best friend

Is this normal at this age? Or should I talk to the teacher?

For me the reception year is all about learning to develop social bonds and I'm worried he may not fit in or may not know how to interact. i was a very shy child and am socially awkward so I know I am projecting some of my fears onto him

bump

I would talk to the teacher is only to set your mind at rest. I would guess if he seems to get on well with others on play dates he is probably socialising fine.

Everything you say is fairly "normal" for this age. Best friends tend to change frequently. Your child will home in on the 5 minutes that no one else wanted to play with them, rather than the majority of the day that they were happily involved in games with others.

Hi EverybodysSleepyEyed

I agree with redskyatnight - this is all very normal for this young age, especially common to only remember/ discuss that point in the day when nobody will play with them.

My DD1 really felt at a loss if children wanted to play something she didn't or if the regular group of children she would play with wouldn't allow her to join in. Our solution was to make sure DD1 & DD2 both knew what else they could do if at a loose end.

Point out the hopscotch grid or playground equipment they are allowed to go on normally. Point out the interesting patch of vegetation full of butterflies or hover flies you can sit quietly by and watch.

Talk to the teacher about whether children are allowed to take reading books outside and sit and read during recess. (or drawing materials perhaps?)

If they understand that they don't always have to be playing with everybody and can opt out of games that they don't like - it will make recess/ lunchtime much more relaxed.

To be honest, I didn't really start to identify names of 'friends' until Y1 - DD1 was terrible about remembering names and really tended to play alongside children rather than with them at that age.

HTH

Thanks

I think I will leave it for now. He seems happy and he is generally very self reliant so I will just keep an eye out