Here are a couple of observations for what they are worth: The "problem" behavior you are describing all seems to come down to an attempt (however ineffective or primitive) by your daughter to control the situation. Children don't have a great deal of control - over themselves or their environment. It's something that they learn. It seems to me that your daughter's enthusiasm for these play dates suggests that she wants to socialize and is ready to begin learning the skills she will need to do so. Her "break down" into attempts to control after a while suggests that she may have reached the limit of her still growing ability. Remember that she is playing with other children whose own social skills are under construction. Imagine yourself in a similar position...you invite friends over and they expect to be able to "share" whatever you have. Even your newest clothes and your most expensive perfume are up for grabs. You might react in a fashion similar to your daughter's. In the case of adults, guests normally have internalized boundaries so that the hostess does not need to control their behavior. That isn't necessarily the case for children. Your daughter may be feeling very pushed - much more than is apparent to you. It might help for you to talk with her before such dates and let her know that she'll be expected to share with her friends but allow her to choose a few things that she does NOT wish to share. Those things can be put away safely so that she knows she still has "control" over them. Assure her that sharing does not mean losing what she wishes to keep. You mentioned that you think by age 6 she should be able to play nicely with another child. Why do you think that? Don't you think that is a little arbitrary? Children are very different and what one can do with ease at a given age another may have trouble with for a long time. It seems to me that your daughter IS playing nicely with other children...just not for as long as you'd like. I agree with the others who have suggested shortening the play dates. And finally, because children's socializing has much more to do with learning and practicing new skills than adult interactions, I think you have to expect a bit more "childish" behavior from them. Their squabbles can be very hard to listen to but they are opportunities for them to learn how to resolve conflict and to determine how they can fit into their group. If an adult is constantly intervening to stop every argument and to enforce one view of fairness, the children miss out on a lot of what such play dates have to offer. Of course that doesn't mean you shouldn't supervise to avoid actual physical conflict or extreme meanness but I recall that you said the other children didn't seem to notice the problem that is upsetting you. Sometimes it is difficult for a parent to realize that their child is NOT yet able to behave as an adult would.

Do you have any ideas as to what she enjoys? Does she play with a lot of dolls, if so maybe some doll clothes or other accessories. Maybe some fun educational games--either a computer game or just a board game. Stuffed animal Dress up clothes Movie tickets--if she hasn't seen something like Monster's Inc.--?? Favorite video and some favorite snacks

I know it's nuts but my daughter has given her 3 & 6 year old iPads. I managed to get the parental controls in place and am now looking for apps for them. I would love to have some suggestions for apps or websites that have quality apps. The youngest is a girl and the 6 year old a boy. Many thanks!! Ginny

He's at an age where his needs will change quickly over the next few years, so keep your changes simple. He's still playing on the floor, so leave as much of the floor space open as possible. The most pleasant place to play is in the brightest area of the room, near the window, so no dresser or bed should be near the window. Try the bed with the headboard on the longest wall, but not in the middle of the wall. Put it as close as possible to the door, with just leave enough space between the bed and the wall for changing the sheets and making the bed. Add some toy storage under the bed - wide shallow boxes. He's a bit young for sleepovers so use his current bed until you need to change it up and decide between a bunk bed and a trundle - or more simply, use a blow up mattress for occasional young overnight guests. It looks as if the closet is large, and has bifold doors. That's good because the closet opens completely. Put his current dresser in the closet for now to see how that works out. You may want to change the position of his hanging closet rod to raise it, and add a second rod that hangs below the upper one, beside the dresser. Be sure you're using every square inch of the closet, top and bottom, before adding more furniture into the room. https://www.hgtv.com/design/remodel/interior-remodel/a-boys-closet-for-every-age-pictures See how that works out for him in terms of using the room before you start buying new furniture. Some cheerful posters would look good on the big wall. I would switch to blackout drapes or blinds that shut out the light for sleeping, and are easy for him to open and close. Here's the bed placement, and an option. See which works better for his play activities. I'm wondering where the heating vent is in the room - you need to leave that free of furniture..