Some kids... are just bossy and territorial... and possessive.
Teach your daughter to speak up. Which she is. GOOD for her.
Teach your daughter, that no one, can tell her who to be friends with or not... that no one 'owns' another kid or friend.
And yes, to walk away.
BUT, also teach your child how to speak up to the teacher and tell the teacher of any problems.
AND you as a parent... ALSO HAVE TO notify the Teacher, of any wrongdoing to your child, by another.
I DO DO that.
The Teacher will NOT know about it, unless the parent, also speaks up.
Now, that girl is now HITTING your child. or harassing your child.
SO NOW IS THE TIME TO TELL THE TEACHER.
And in e-mail or writing.
Document or make notes to yourself, about what is happening.
MOST teachers, APPRECIATE when a parent tells them these things.
ALL of my kid's Teachers, do.
AND the Teacher, then talks to the ENTIRE classroom, about appropriate and inappropriate behavior. And to the offending child too. Privately. And to that child's parent.
That is normal protocol... at my kid's school.
Sure they are young. But even at that age, in school, the kids DO HAVE TO BE CORRECTED. Or they will keep doing it... to your child or others.
It has to STOP.
Kids even in this grade, can be Bullies.
For example:
My daughter, has a girl in her grade level, that is this way. MANY parents have complained about that child, amongst themselves, between Mommies. That child even bullied another Teacher's own child. At recess. At the playground.
It has to STOP.
It can only be handled and corrected and addressed... IF a Parent speaks up. The school... NEEDS "proof" and testimony from the parents/child... or else they cannot do anything about it.
My daughter was bullied in 1st grade. I told her Teacher. The Teacher told me "I am glad you told me. We have been having trouble with that other girl before. But no other parent would speak up. Since YOU have spoken up, NOW I CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND TALK TO HER PARENTS TOO." My daughter's Teacher took care of it that SAME day, and spoke to that offending child's parents and the Principal... too.
It was nipped in the bud.
YES, kids this age are bullies, already.
My daughter, DOES speak up for herself very well.
Still, Bullies are Bullies.
And you as a parent, of a young child, NEED TO SPEAK UP TOO.
To the Teacher/school.
I don't care about being "one of those Mothers."
If my child is being bullied... I speak up.
I am NOT shy nor self-conscious.
My kids' Teachers... know that and they know I am not one to make waves... unless I have to and for GOOD reason.
And REMEMBER: even if a child is good about speaking up and knows how... that does not mean, that they will not be Bullied. Even kids who speak up, get bullied.
SO THE KEY THING IS: for your child to tell you about any problems, and to know to tell the Teacher too... and for you the parent... to ALWAYS speak up to the Teacher informing her... of any problems or wrongdoing or inappropriate behavior upon your child.
THAT, is a parent's role and responsibility.
I always, advocate for my kids... when there are problems, like this.
It is NOT, your child's fault.
It is not about a child speaking up or standing up for herself. It is about.... HELPING your child, and telling the Teacher, too. Yourself.
Because as I said, even kids who speak up, are bullied.
My daughter and Husband... told me, they were so PROUD and GLAD, that I spoke up about my daughter being Bullied. My daughter called me her "Hero." Even if my daughter knows how to speak up and defend herself... you as a parent, STILL have to, make sure the problem is taken care of. AND IT SHOWS YOUR CHILD... how to problem solve and how to go about, 'reporting' wrongdoing. YOU are the example for your child.
That is how, they learn. Too.