My son is in 3rd grade. At that age, I remember having a best friend and going over to other kids' houses. He doesn't get invited anywhere.
He also doesn't feel lonely. He thinks he has a lot of friends. The kids don't ignore him at recess. In the summer, he plays with some of the neighborhood boys.
Am I worried over nothing?
I don't think kids these days play at each other's houses the way we did. It seems like parents are as willing to let kids do it.
Why not have him invite someone over?
I agree with Max. Because most families are REALLY busy, there just isn't as much playing at each other's houses anymore. I will say my boys have a bunch of friends that they hang out at the park with if they don't have practice, but even then it's not every day and they go to different schools. I think it's just a sign of our times.
I would say it is normal :) My son is in the 2nd grade..sounds a lot like him.
At 3rd grade, I think your child is old enough to learn how to start reaching out to kids outside of school. With my son, I encouraged him to exchange phone numbers with classmates and start calling them to arrange get togethers outside of school. It's an important skill to have, and I don't think my parents taught it to me.
When we were kids all we had was to play outside and other's homes..
i wouldn't worry unless he starts to get reclusive. My DS (10) has 3 boys in this neighborhood that he likes to play with... It is very similar to how when I was a kid, because I don't allow my kids to just sit around the house. My DD is 15, she doesn't really "hang out" with anyone except her BF which doesn't live in this neighborhood..but she has all kinds of friends at school, and all chatty on the phone and text...
I will not miss Math Homework!
- Verrine
on Feb. 3, 2013 at 7:40 AM