Hi Barbara,

I have a 6-year-old son and I'm kind of worried about him. He's a first grader but since kindergarten, he just likes to play with girls, and his best friends are also girls. I find it kind of strange because he likes to play with cars, transformers... you know, boy stuff, and he also watches boys' cartoons. I just can't understand what's with just having girls as friends. I don't even think he's shy. I'd really like to understand him. Is it normal? Will he change that some day? Can I help him in some way? I'm from Mexico and I've been trying find anything like this in the internet without luck.

From: Adriana Q., Sonora, Mexico

Hi Adriana,

What you're describing sounds fine to me. You're describing a youngster who has many interests, including "boy stuff." That he chooses to play with girls may reflect the way girls play: They tend to be more collaborative than boys, to enjoy arts and crafts play, and to be less physical in their pretend play. Almost all boys go through a stage like this, just to a lesser degree than you are describing. I wouldn't discourage or encourage it, I would simply allow him to follow his interests.

See this entry on the same subject, an interview with early childhood educator Nancy Carlsson-Paige.

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