Auntie..."friend" help

realisticdreams

Auntie..question!

Sooo P is still not in any formal preschool because the county cut neurotypical peers this year and she has regressed ALOT with her bladder issues, to the point where she will likely need another surgery soon.  So, we are again not allowed to go to a private preschool setting.  We have been stressing to her to make friends when we are in social settings, we were at the mall earlier in the week at the play place, and she drags this little girl over to me, (literally almost dragging her, luckily the little girl seemed laid back/going along with it) and she was like, "Look mom! I made a friend!"  I was like oh dear lord, it's like she's hauling a puppy dog around.  I'm not sure if the little girl herself had any issues, she struck me as possibly & P tends to radiate to children who have SNs anyways.  

But...how do I properly teach her how to do this?  She didn't even really ask the little girl her name..or age..just kinda claimed her.  I remember a big issue when she was in preschool was that she didn't want anyone else to talk to the little girl she really clicked with.  

Is this an issue?  Claiming a child as her own lol.  HELP!

realisticdreams

She will be 4 in November.  I will certainly check out the books.  The only reason I push the issue is because she usually is so awkward when it comes to meeting new kids/playing together.  This was the first time i've actually seen her engage.  She usually either tries to get someones attention, and fails.  Or plays alone.  I have seen Morgan do way more 1 on 1 play with kids than Peyton and Morgan has only been talking 2 months or so.  I always feel bad for her, so that's why I really talked up the whole making a friend thing this time.  

I guess I can't fault her, she did what I wanted her to do, lol.

I need to find something on a regular basis where she would be exposed to the same kids but with being back at work, and our crazy schedules, I haven't really come up with much yet.  We were thinking soccer, but she just got her cast off and her legs have been really bothering her alot so now we are probably going to skip that.

funchicken

I hope it's okay that I'm butting in. I was trying to think of classes that might be good for your DD. Music Together was one idea or some other type of music class. Maybe a language class? I know some places around here offer Spanish classes for preschool aged kids. Our library also things like book clubs and stay and plays. Or maybe an art class? Oh, and there's a Curiosity Zone near us that has science classes, but I'm not sure what the age ranges are. Good luck! I'm so mad for you that you haven't been able to find a preschool.