1 Year Old with down Syndrome - Play Date

Just ask her!
Friends often get together with friends for play dates regardless of the age differences between the kids. This isn't any different.
Have fun!

the kids will equalize the situation themselves. My sis & I had our 1st children together, & her best friend's daughter was Down Syndrome. All 3 kids loved playing together....& we rejoiced with it, because in addition to Down Syndrome, the little girl was born with heart defects & did not survive beyond age 4. It still soothes us knowing that she had many, many happy times with our children.

Fast forward to today, my husband has an adult cousin who's Down Syndrome. She LOVES our sons....who are 15 & 24. She is loving & always happy to see her cousins.....& both of my sons have always been excellent with her.

Embrace diversity! The kids will figure it out......

At one year old, most kids can't play together anyway... so a playdate with two babies - one neuro-typical and one with Downs, would be pretty much exactly the same as with neuro-typical babies. I say go for it! At that age, playdates are mostly for the mommies anyway.

(and - I wanted to add that there are varying "degrees" of Downs syndrome. Once you have your friend over you can find out how her daughter is doing and whether she'll be an appropriate playmate for your child as they grow)

I am not sure if it matters. Just ask if they can come over to visit. While you're at it ask if there is something her child especially enjoys doing or playing with. At the age of one they are still babies and babies love other babies. Enjoy your time together!

It would depend on the severity of the downs, I believe. And I'm sure the mom can kind of "lead" you through any grey areas.
Simply invite her to the play date, and follow the mom's lead. Don't make it an issue. There are going to be developmental differences in all children. My son is a fantastic speaker,and has been for a long time. One his best buds who is the same age is very hard to understand. So just go with the flow, and definitely invite her over. I bet she may feel a bit isolated by people who are just afraid of how they should act around her child. Down's kid can be very high functioning, and actually tend to be very kind spirits! Good luck :)

Just ask her to come over. I'm sure it will mean a lot to her.

If her daughter is not up to it, she will say so. But I bet that she would like to come over even if her child isn't ready for the interaction just yet. So I say just call her up and ask!

They usually walk later, my friend's downs child couldn't walk until she was about 3 or 4, and she had daily physical therapy to help build the muscle tone. So she will likely be more of a baby developmentally.

But, my friend's child though older who was also very baby like, was an absolute joy. My kids were older, and played with her by making her giggle, play peek a boo, tickling her, playing dolls, clapping, singing songs. They will be fine!

Besides, even if this child didn't have downs, the children likely wouldn't play together socially anyways. At this age, they are more into side-by-side play as opposed to socially interacting during play. I bet her mom will be glad to have been invited to a playdate. There will always be play differences between children, whether there is a developmental delay or not. Just have fun.

Just ask. my son has Smith Magenis syndrome so we interact with kids who have down-syndrome all the time. There are levels of delays so being with your kid may really help them both. It may help her child to interact with your child who is "normal", and it may help your child at a early age to learn that even though people are different we can still be friends.

Just ask her.

How old is your child?

Now, if you do have a play-date with this Mom and her down's child... and then it does not go well or your own child is not liking it or is apprehensive etc., you also have to be prepared for that... and for IF your child does not want to have... future play-dates with this child. And what will you do or how will you explain that to your friend?
That is another scenario, too.

There will be developmental differences.
Even with 'normal' kids.
Every child/person is different. You teach your child that.

There are varying degrees of Downs.
And even some adults are uncomfortable with that or do not know how to 'act' around a Downs child.
it is a learning process for all.

Young children, do not even play 'interactively' yet nor know social rules and are not social experts yet.
Even at 2 years old, many children are still doing "parallel play."
So, in tandem with that, the parental "expectations" of child play.... and play-dates... has to be in line, with a child's age and development and social skills.

I have taught a child swimming lessons whe n she was 4, she was so sweet and so teachable, and did very well....she love being with other children and loved praise....

I'm with the other mommies!! Ask her!! I'm sure she would enjoy it and like others said she will guide through anything you need to know.

Something I find important is always remembering people first language. Refrain from using terms like "Downs kid" and especially NEVER use the word "retarded" as it is becoming the new N word. The R word. Back to my people first language, I think we should all remember to define someone by who they are and not what they have been diagnosed with. Terms like Autistic Kid, Downs Kid, etc, put the disability BEFORE the person. It's more correct and sensitive to say, child with down syndrome, child diagnosed with Autism etc.

Good luck and have lots of fun!!! :-)

Hi,

I would just ask her for a playdate---do you know 100% that she has down syndrome?? If not, don't assume. I would just say that you would love to have a playdate with ______ and ask if she can meet you at the park etc. Her mom will most likely let you know if she has any limits. GL

M

I don't think the difference in development would matter at this age.