Playdates

Hi,


My son is 4 yrs old. he loves to go to school but has difficulties making friends. His teacher says that he talks very well with the teachers at school but hardly speaks to his classmates and that he loves to play alone but does not play WITH his classmates.


I have set up quite a few playdates for him at home and it seems that he still is in the parallel play stage. Please advise how I can help him socialize with other kids of his age.How can I organize the playdates so that he interacts with the children/child who comes to play with him.


Thanks.

You could try role playing what he will do when friends are over. Try to invite friends who are calm but willing to play with other and not just do paralell play. Then discuss with your son one thing he might show them or play with them and practice before they come over. Is he any better in neutral territory like at a park with a ball or small cars? Is it easier for him to play with certain friends several times instead of new ones each playdate? Can you set up an activity that requires some interactionwhen a friend comes over isntead of just free play? You could try setting up a train set, kicking a ball, racing cars, making a play lunch to serve you, drawing an outline of each others body(on a large piece of paper) or hands then colouring them in. Maybe he will just develop a few good friends. He needs the skills in play and socialization to move from the paralell play stage. Don't push it and try to follow his lead.


good luck

Hi Kim11,


Thank you so much for your advice.