Play-dates in kindergarten

I'm wondering at what age do kids start having play dates. My DS is in kindergarten and hasn't had a play date with any kids in the class. The topic has been mentioned a few times with other parents, but it never happened. I'm also not the type to initiate. Maybe that is part of the problem. It seems as though the parents in my DS's class all kind of know eachother. I do feel slightly disfunctional in the social area. Perhaps this is something that will just happen and it can't be pushed. What are your thoughts/experiences on this? TIA

Play-dates in kindergarten

I am in the same boat! I have never used the term playdate with DD yet today she asked if she could have one. I just hate that at this age (kindergarten) it would have to include the parents too. I am going to have to figure something out soon because she is asking and I feel the same way you do.

Re: Play-dates in kindergarten

Chloe has play dates all the time and she is in kindergarten. I always email the parent saying Chloe would like to have a playdate with. It could be at yours or mine let me know.. You have to be pro active. The worse they can say is so and so does not have play dates during the week...

Chloe had one today. I wrote a note for her to go on the friends bus. The mom emailed me when she got there. She was there until 6:30 and she had dinner there. I try to have one on Fridays for her.. She rotates between 6 girls in her class and from the bus....

In my district you are allowed to go home on other buses for play dates as long as you have a note....

Message edited 1/17/2014 9:21:48 PM.

Re: Play-dates in kindergarten

DS is in Pre-K and I haven't had any playdates yet.

But I'm not really involved that much with the school. Usually DH drops him off for pre-care and either him or my ILs pick him up.

I met a handful of the parents who came to his bday.

I imagine it will change eventually, but right now I work F/T not super nearby to where we live.

DH may coach Tball in the spring and we are also planning to join the PTA when DS is in Kindergarten so I imagine that will increase opportunities for socialization.

I have a friend who has lots of playdates (her DS is a couple years older) but until recently, she was home all day AND there were more kids her DS age in his class within a couple of blocks radius.

There is only one little boy close to DS age who lives across the street and they've played on occasion but his parents are just as busy as we are if not more.

He is with his cousins at least 4 days a week and often plays with a friend's kid on the weekends so I don't feel bad.

Re: Play-dates in kindergarten

My DC is in K, we have not had any play dates. I have a younger dc, and many of the moms are working. The kids see each other all day, I just don't feel like it's needed

Re: Play-dates in kindergarten

My dc is in kindergarten. Right now we have had playdates with one other child. I would like to have more playdates as I think it is important to incorporate socialization outside of school. I would love to have people over, but my DH schedule is kinda all over so it is hard to plan in advance. I had contact with another mom and 2 other kids are on his basketball team so maybe we will make friends with them too!

Re: Play-dates in kindergarten

Both of my DC's have been having A LOT of playdates since they were in preschool! Definitely in K - I would think playdates are the norm! I also think it's good to see how your child interacts with kids and start to see who they click with and who they don't (personality wise). I would ask your child which child in the class they would like to have a playdate with and then either email or call their mom (whatever contact info you have). I wouldn't feel weird about it - we have gotten lots of calls/emails from complete strangers lol that turn out to be best friends! I've even gotten calls from the kids themselves lol! Once you start reaching out, I am sure others will reciprocate. And, I would expect to have the child's mom come as well at this age for sure. If you are not comfortable hosting at your house...suggest a playdate at an open play place or bowling or a funcraft type of place or wait until the warmer weather and suggest meeting at the local playground.

Message edited 1/19/2014 12:11:02 PM.

Re: Play-dates in kindergarten

Thanks for all the responses! I think I just need to show more of an initiative.

Re: Play-dates in kindergarten

Re: Play-dates in kindergarten

Re: Play-dates in kindergarten

Wanted to add, some of my closest friends are moms that I met on playdates years ago. So, it could be good for you too.