Worried about 4 year old son

[nicoloola]

My son has just started at the local school nursery and is due to start reception in January. He is very shy and cautious around new people, although he has been going to a local private nursery for the last year and a half where he had made a couple of very good friends. I am really worried that he will not make friends easily and be bullied or excluded as I was in primary school, where I was very shy too. I went with him for the 45 minute induction session and he played on his own for the whole time. He seems to go and is happy when leaving (he's done 2 full sessions now), but I am sick with worry about him. Has anyone got any advice????

You have to stop worrying and believe in your son's ability to make friends. If you are worried then he will pick up on it.

My DS1 started school last september and I was petrified that he would have problems as he was reserved, knew no one and was one of the youngest in the year. Now a year later he has loads of friends.

You can help him out:

1. Talk to him like he has loads of friends, I just kept telling DS1 that if he played with someone, even if they had an argument, that person was his friend.

2. When he mentions someone - invite mum and kid or kid over for a playdate.

The difference 6 months makes is immense at this age.

Hi, thinking on the same lines, can anyone help me?

My son has just started full time reception at the school where he was previously attending pre school.
in november we are going abroad for 4 weeks ( personal circumstances, not a holiday)and the school has allowed it under exceptional reasons.
My question is how much will he be missing out educationally and socially. he has had experience of play settings and we will back 2 weeks before the Xmas break. he is shy and sometimes lacks confidence, but once you get him going he quite good. what can i do to help him both abroad and here when we get back. i would really appreciate here

I have asked the mother of every little girl at preschool if their child would like to come play at our house with DD. Many said no, but DD has become good friends with the others. I swear by the "You WILL have a social life" tactic for helping them want to go to preschool/school.