Is it normal for a 5th grader to knock on your door and want to come and play with your kindergartener?

Question

Yesterday while my son had his "best friend" over and they were playing in the sandbox my doorbell rings and when i go to the door a large girl is standing there. I thought she must be selling something, girlscout cookies i hope. Where are those girl scouts that came last year anyway they said the would come back. Anyway she says" can she play with my son" and i say "who are you" and she says "she rides his bus" and i a say "what grade are you in" and she says "5th". She says she plays with younger kids because they are nicer. ( She is overweight, so maybe the kids her age make fun of her) Well since he already has one friend over i allow her to the backyard to play but after his other friend leaves i have her go too.

Do you think i should let them play together or not, In case she comes back another day?

Answer 1

there are alot of kids that live near me. and i see all the time older kids playing with younger ones. i have a hard time understanding my self why these older kids would want to play with a much younger child. but it seems to me that this girl was very honest with you about why she was not playing with kids her own age. and i would respect that she was so honest. if you are worried than just keep an eye on them when she is there. as long as she is not saying or doing any thing that would cause a red flag to go up. i would say allow them to be friends.

Answer 2

When my daughter was two-three a first grader came over to play with her. She also did not have many friends. I dont think the girl is a pervert just lonely. I would let her play and just monitor how she plays. Just to be sure she isn't talking about things you dont want your kindergartener to be listening to. In my case they were playing barbies. Here's a switch for you though. My daughter is fifteen and this twenty one year is telling me the same thing. He wants to hang out with the younger kids because there nicer than people his age. You can guess what I said " no way"

Answer 3

Although I was not overweight and had many friends in school, I still always found myself wanting to play with younger children when I was in elementary and middle school. Because I enjoyed so much playing with the younger kids in my neighborhood, when I was old enough I volunteered and later worked at a preschool near my house. I am about to go to college to become a preschool teacher, majoring in early childhood education.
I see absolutely nothing wrong with this little girl wanting to play with your son. I always found myself more interested in helping out in the kindergarten class during recess than playing during recess in 5th 6th 7th and 8th grade, simply because it was more fun for me. And like many others said, it makes you feel needed and like you are doing something good.
Of course supervise your child, and I agree, meeting this little girl's parents is also important, just to get a sense of who they are. But I definately think it's normal for a 5th grader to want to play with younger kids.

Answer 4

being that she is overweight she probably has no friends and it is easier her to play with smaller children because they don't say anything about the way she looks. she may also be an only child. my son is 8 and plays with kids younger than him or older than him. i wouldn't worry too much her selfesteem may be very low. i would allow her to play with him but i would also watch what is going on also it might help you out some too so you can relax more or get dinner done with less of a hassle or some cleaning done. good luck

Answer 5

I believe this girl is a single child or her siblings don't like her and she needs attention. She probably feels lonely and wants someone to play with. Little kids are more fun to play with since they are so small and cute. It is okay to allow her to play with your child if there's an adult supervision; especially when this girl is a stranger to you. However, don't say yes all the time. You don't want her to come knocking on the door every day.

Answer 6

I have a 12 yr old girl and she likes to play with a 3 and 4 yr old who is our neighbours. She likes to help them out and it also helps the mother of the kids out because she can clean the house or whatever while my daughter is entertaining the kids!! It s also a great way to show what a good babysitter she would be!!
Let them play together!

Answer 7

as with any new friend you child has, you should always supervise them until you feel secure that they have a healthy friendship. i would also advise trying to meet her parents, even a phone conversation. they should know who their kid is hanging out with, and you would most likely be able to figure out her motives by what her parents would tell you about her. i do think it's normal, though. just like another poster, i had a lot of younger friends growing up because i liked to feel like i was "babysitting" and "helping" plus, it's true...younger kids ARE less judgmental

Answer 8

I think it's pefectly normal. Kids need friends weather they are older or younger. You may be the changing factor in this little girls life by letting her play. Be nice to her, she needs a friend.

Answer 9

When i was 11,12, and 13 i would love to play with little kids. It was sort of babysitting you could say but it was just fun to interact with kids, i always loved kids they are the best and when your feeling down little kids always make you feel lots better! :)
Love, Kayla

Answer 10

She probably just does not have other friends and is not judged by younger children, however, with the rise in children sexually abusing other children I would either turn her away or closely supervise.