How Important Are Friendships W/ Kids at Elementary School Vs. Outside School?

At this age I don't think it really matters. She sounds just fine!
It would be nice as she gets older to give her opportunities to invite school friends over for playdates on the weekend, however. We have some kids that come in from other towns and I noticed that they tend to be more on the "outside" of things once they hit 4th/5th grade. Being involved with scouts, sports, youth groups, etc. helps them stay connected too :)

I was one of the kids in elementary that wasn't in the immediate neighborhood, so my parents drove me. It turned out to be an advantage as I got a little older. Lots of the kids who lived near each other saw each other so much that they got into fights (almost a sibling rivalry). I was considered one of the "special" friends because they didn't see me so much.

I didn't form really tight friends until grades 3-4 and then when I went to Jr. High, friends all changed anyway. Don't stress about it. There will be a natural evolution.

Think about jobs you have had. Have you always found best friends at work? I haven't. I think that as long as she is interacting with the kids and has people to eat lunch with, etc, then she has "work friends" and then best friends from other sources. I would see how it goes and not worry too much. Look for opportunities to include school friends where appropriate, but otherwise just give it time. She does have friends - just with different kids. My sister is even more introverted than me and had about 5 good friends in HS and is still tight with all of them. Was she any worse off than somebody with more good pals? No. People are different. And FWIW, in the middle years - 5th, 6th, 7th...just stay out if it as much as you can. Tweens are SO mercurial.

Don't over analyze it. She is in 1st grade, she is included in the groups at school. Don't expect best friends to just happen.

I think it is great for children to have a range of friends in and outside the school.

I have been a substitute teacher for years and mostly in 1st grade. This is not uncommon and nothing for you to worry about unless you see changes in your daughter.

Best wishes.

Coming from a person that had at least 3 different sets of friends growing up. I had friends from school, friends from my neighborhood and friends from church. As long as she has at least 1 very good friend she should be fine. Also understand if she is an introvert or an extrovert. This will govern how much time she she will spend with people and how it energizes or depletes her. I'm an introvert so alone time is crucial to my well being. I'm not shy and can be very engaging in a crowd but it does take alot out of me and then I need more alone time. I live a very balanced life now but growing up with a parent with different expectations can be tough. My sister on the other hand is an extrovert. She must be around people. The more people the better she has plenty of acquaintances but few close friends and makes friends very easily.

Ultimately you want to make certain she is balanced and as comfortable with her interactions with others as possible throughout her growing up years.

Mostly good advice below-- at this point, this isn't a big thing to worry about. My son is pretty young, too, and rarely had playdates with his preschool buddies, and also has neighborhood kids he plays with (although they won't be going to his school). All through life, we have our friends in different 'areas' of our world.

I think that, as long as kids feel included and generally liked at school, and have the support of enough people (friends, family) outside of that, things will be fine. Like AV suggested, we adults don't always have close friends in every situation (work, church) in our lives, but it all works out!

It's not time to worry about that yet. 1st graders are so fluid when it comes to their friendships, and in my experience, they aren't really forming cliques just yet.

I would make an attempt to forge bonds with the other parents, though. Schedule play-dates when you can, maybe schedule a get-together at a park on a weekend when it's convenient for you.

Invite some of her school friends over for play dates. If she is is invited by school friends, consider allowing her to go to play dates at their homes.

It is what it is.. Our daughter had a lot of neighbor friends, lots of school friends and still a few friends from her daycare, in first grade.

I volunteered at her school and would meet parents in all grades. This was a good way to meet the parents of children in her classes.

These friendships will happen because they spend more awake hours together with each other than even we do, while they are in school. , just hang in there.

I wouldn't be too worried. When you see the same kids everyday, the sparkle can wear off sometimes. As she gets older, they will begin to interact with one another outside of school (visit each other's homes, etc.). In first grade, I don't recall my daughter doing a lot of things with her classmates outside of the usual party invite. As she got older, more opportunities came about. And by 8th grade, she was ready to get away from them all. LOL

I would focus on the solid relationships, she'll remember those.

I have wondered the same thing. In my son's case, he has friends at school but when it comes to home, we don't live near kids his age. However, despite this, he does seem to easily make friends at school and or other places we go. Also, he has always seem to enjoy hanging out with adults. Overall, he is a happy kid. Fearing that my son doesn't have playmates at home, I have asked him from time to time, how do you feel about another sibling?? his reply, " I told you I want to remain single." Basically, he likes being the center of attention :) and while he does make friends pretty easily and has forged relationships at school (this despite having to attend a new school last year at the beginning of 5th grade) he is well-adjusted... He's the type of kid that enjoys busying himself with projects, e.g. he will play in his room for hours making maps, playing his accordion and or drawing.. He has never been one to have to be with a lot of people .. Although when he is, he does ok..
Bottomline, I think if a child seems happy , then so far, I wouldn't worry too much. I would just keep the lines of communication open (that's what I do with my son) ask about her day and see how first grade unfolds... sometimes, kids just get off to a slower start.. don't forget, she now has more work than in kinder.. could be that is overwhelming and making friends is now secondary..

It is very improtant. The older a child gets the more difficult it is to form new friendships. You need to make the effort to invite school friends over to play and to join you on outings. If I hadn't had at least one or two close friends at school I think school would have been a miserable place for me. My son is going into grade five and still spends most of time with the same group of friends he made in grade one. It is great to have friends outside of school, but she will be spending the majority of her time at school for the next several years.

My kids went to Catholic school for their primary education and play dates were had but slim seeing as the school week was focused on studies and sports. When they were older and transitioned to public school they had very little issue making friends with the local kids that they had not previously socialized with. Some of their best friends are being made and have been made their middle school and now high school time. Do not worry yourself too much as these children will go in and out of friendships for whatever reason and the drama will be there whether there is a foundation from early childhood or just picking up when they are more social in their preteens. :)