Kindergarten friendships during Covid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When kids hang out in K they are not really friends in the true sense of the word. They just play together. First friendships form around 8 or 9. Don’t pressure your kid. Theyre fine.

This is definitely not true. I don't think not having friends in K is a big deal, but the kids absolutely do start forming real friendships then.

[Anonymous]

“Kids this age are not reliable narrators”
This x 1,000
OP, our older SC had several very specific friends by this point in K, but that was waaay pre-COVID. So what we have done for younger DC in K this year is specifically seek out friends of DC1 that have younger sibs. Hey can Larla come hang out with us, and do you think Larlo would like to also? X would love to have a playmate!
This has worked really well. Also, get Dc into some kind of activity where parents hang around, watch who they interact with, and chat up the parents. It felt weird with Dc1 but now with Dc2 it’s kind of second nature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kindergartener is in MCPS and started back to in person school in March. Each day, I ask him who he played with or what he did at recess. It sounds like he is mostly by himself at recess, digging in dirt or burying treasures. I have asked if there are any kids he would like to invite for a play date, but he can’t think of anyone. I have asked his teacher how he is doing socially, and she has no concerns and says he plays well with other kids and that the recess monitor says he is always playing with at least one other kid. I asked if he wants to have a birthday party this year, but he said he would rather have a party with his grandparents.

I can only imagine how strange it is to make friends while socially distanced and masked, but I worry about his apparent lack of friendships. My older son had lots of friends and play dates in kindergarten.

He doesn’t seem to mind or care. His best friend is his older brother, and he always plays well with my other son’s friends. This is more my problem than his, I know that, but should I be concerned that he hasn’t made any friends that he wants to have over?

He will be okay. It's a tough year and kids, like adults, need time. If this continues for a few more months, then be worried

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When kids hang out in K they are not really friends in the true sense of the word. They just play together. First friendships form around 8 or 9. Don’t pressure your kid. Theyre fine.

This is definitely not true. I don't think not having friends in K is a big deal, but the kids absolutely do start forming real friendships then.

Developmentally speaking, it’s not true friendship. It’s playing. I’ve taught PK, K, 1, 2, And 3rd grades. This is basic developmental stuff.