Son not playing with others

[mamadooo]

My son started pre school in Jan, he's trying to play and share but telling me no one playing with him and tells me names of kids who play together and are friends..

The kids know each other as started earlier.. there are a few newbies also..

What do I say when he comes home saying "so and so didn't play with me" or "so and so didn't share toys with me"

He's often on the sidelines when I go collect.. he attends 3 days each week..

Thanks

Suggest he asks some different people?

But he must be about three - I’d speak to the staff about it. I’d also tell him to ask a grownup if he can’t find someone to play with.

I second speaking to the staff. The imaginative stories that some kids bring home from or take into childcare settings can be far from reality.

Staff have said he needs lots of encouragement to play with others and is quite shy..

My only gripe is if he is asking them to play and they saying no, perhaps
they don't see..

I have said to go find a grown up so hopefully he will x

Does he play alongside the other children?

Tbh most children don't actually play with the same children all the time. They're quite egotistical at preschool age.

Have you spoken to his key person or anyone else at preschool? They'd be able to give you a better idea on how he plays.

In a group of 3-4 year olds you'll have some that play alone, some that play alongside each other, some that play with lots of different children and some who play with their particular friends.... then lots that do all of those things. It's all developmentally normal:

If there are other problems eg. Communication, shyness, awkwardness then it's best to talk to preschool but try not to worry. They're all so different, especially at this age.

Cross posted as you've updated.

2/3 of mine were quiet at preschool. Some kids just are and that's ok.

Does he seem happy going in? And coming out?

I think if you ask him too much it's going to turn into an issue for him too.

Is he definitely not playing with anyone? My son used to say the same thing and when I spoke to the teacher she said he had lots of people to play with.