My son who just turned 5 started Kindergarten this year. He's a bit immature, but has friends who seem to enjoy hanging out with him.
There is a child in his class who is about a year older and appears to be wise for his age. One of the things my son does to connect with other children is he sometimes imitates them. For his other friends, it has worked and he stops after awhile. They giggle a lot and move on. But this other child gets very upset and yells at my son telling him that it's not okay.
Now this boy and my son seem to be like oil and vinegar and I truly believe it's because of the difference in maturity. Things that have worked with my son's other friends don't work here. And in fact, the other child gets really upset at him and is rather mean to him at this point (sometimes physical).
I was thinking of explaining my son's situation (diagnosed with Sensory Integration issues and ADHD has not been ruled out) to the father, who is very nice, to see if he can help explain to his child and maybe this would help. But I'm wondering if this might end up being "more fuel for the fire" with it giving more ammunition to the other child on how to ridicule my son.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
I personally wouldn't tell him. The world is not going to always be accomodating and our children will not get along with every child. Do we as adults get along the same with every person we meet? There will always be children more and less mature than your son. All you can do is teach and raise your own child to accept others. Part of thier social development is learning that you cant play the same with everyone. My daughter also age 5 used to love her friends that she could play with and they'd have their toys and she say "ok say this" and they would say it, and so on. Well as her circle of friends starts to grow she has friends that dont want to be told what to say (cant say I blame them), so she has to learn to accept that or not play with those children if she cant.
I would, however, address the other child becoming physical, that is never ok.
Diane V39364.5677083333I agree with Diane. Do not tell.
Definetely address the other child's physical aggression towards your child. Adhd or no adhd, no physical agression is acceptable behavior for anyone!
Do not tell. Information spreads like wild fire, and this will not benefit your son long term. It may simply lead to labeling by parents. He is going to have more experiences like this. He needs to learn how to manage this type of social issue. At five, I simply told my son to stay away from the other child.I wouldn't tell the other child's parent, however, I would ask the teacher to keep the boys apart from one another. I am in the same situation and my child always seems to find a child in his age group that he likes, but dislikes at the same time. This particular child will always be the one that gets him into trouble no matter which one initiates the problem. It is easier to teach your child to avoid this boy and find someone else to play with. Do they have socialization groups at the school? My daughter began in Kindergarden and the school Social Worker ran the groups along with other children to teach socialization skills. It would help.