How do i help my 6-year-old struggling to fit in at school?

Since last fall, I’ve been worried about my 6-year-old daughter, and a recent meeting with her teacher confirmed many of my concerns.

She’s facing several challenges, but the main issue seems to be her immaturity compared to her classmates. She takes a lot of time transitioning between activities, like putting on her jacket or tidying up her lunchbox. While her peers have started to grow out of “younger” humor and games, she still enjoys the same things she loved in preschool. This often irritates the other girls, and I suspect it’s one reason why she hasn’t formed any close friendships yet. Instead, she drifts between groups without really being included.

Her teacher told us that during recess, she often gravitates toward adults or older children. While she’s mentioned wanting to play with a few girls in her class, the teacher said she’s been rejected by them, which breaks my heart. We’ve encouraged her to form connections with others, and we frequently arrange playdates. The invited kids come over, but she’s never invited back.

At home, she can be very demanding—throwing tantrums over small things, refusing to sit at the dinner table, and struggling to follow instructions.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? How can I help her develop socially and make sure this doesn’t set the tone for years of sadness at school? I’d really appreciate any advice. 😔