Practical Parenting Advice Online Parenting Course

Return to Website

Parenting Message Board

Please report abuses to AndyGill@practicalparent.org.uk

Parenting Message Board
Start a New Topic 
Author
Comment
View Entire Thread
Re: 6 year old is lonely at school

She may have done one thing that made her an outcast at the drop of a hat, like tell everyone she likes green instead of purple. In their world, the little things are such a big deal. I say wait it out, by next month maybe she'll be back to being a social butterfly again. If you think it's that serious than maybe you could make an appointment with the school councelor.

Re: 6 year old is lonely at school

I have to say that a lot of 6 year olds say they have no one to play with. My youngest is 7 and I know she has told me that but when I have asked further I have discovered that no-one wanted to play her games and she didn't want to play the other's games ... I have spoken to lots of other parents whose kids have said the same. So investigate ... ask the teacher as well. My eldest was a bit of a loner in school...it made me feel awful. She is smart and was sociable out of school. Her teacher once helped at a church weekend away and was amazed to see my daughter in a different context where she was quite extrovert. I invited other kids round, encouraged her to be more friendly. I was told she was a loner and quiet at school up until she was 10. I had to back off and stop worrying ( the first thing I used to ask her when I collected her was "Who did you play with?" and when she was about 8, 9 she told me "Stop asking that. Is that the only thing you care about ?"). By 10 she had a great group of friends around her and I was being told she was a chatter box!! I could encourage her but I couldn't make friends for her. She did it herself in her own time. I'm sure your daughter will too.

Re: 6 year old is lonely at school

Hi Claudia,
My heart goes out to you on this one. My little lad's going through a similar experience (but I suspect for different reasons - See All Alone posted 20Feb). Got some good advice that might be more relevent to your situation.
Some schools have an initiative to counter this using a "friends waiting area" in the playground. Older children are designated the resposibility for ensureing that their younger peers are looked after during playtimes. If a child goes and waits in this area, one of the older kids goes over and finds a play buddy for them. It might be worth suggesting a similar system to your young lady's teacher or head-teacher.
Hope this helps and good luck..
Matt

Re: 6 year old is lonely at school

Thanks for your advice and tips..it's just great to know that this is not uncommon.
Thanks again ...REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOUR COMMENTS