Little boy doesn't like girls...

[sbrinton]

My son, who is almost 4, has recently decided that he really, really doesn't like little girls. I am guessing this is normal preschooler behavior. But he's not being very nice to some of the girls in his preschool class.

Also, he's been taking gymnastics and dance, but recently is not participating in dance class because "it's for girls".

I wonder if someone has said something to him to make him feel weird about being the only boy in his dance class? Or if there is something goin on developmentally?

[Marsupialmom]

I would also look at the girls behavior........even at young ages like that girls can be "exclussive" esspecially in those types of settings.

I would evaluate your son's behavior. Many times there is a give and take. If your son has 4 year old social skills that don't meet/match with others then there can be a problem. Boys ussually are slower on these skills than girls and this can be a problem.

The adults in these situations need to be involved.

[Ellien C]

I think it's kind of a normal thing for children to separate into same-sex groups around this age. It does happen naturally for a lot of children, even if someone hasn't said anything. I think it's part of categorizing the world and identifying with a single sex.

[4evermom]

The times my ds has been anti-girls have been when a group of girls have a "club" and say "girls only". It hurts his feelings and he gets resentful and retaliatory. But he does enjoy playing with girls if it is the type of play he prefers (not house or dolls or dress-up, things he never cared for).