DS6 skipped first grade with a late Spring birthday, and many kids are "redshirted" in our district. The majority of his second grade class has turned 8 already and he's one of the smallest. He has not experienced any bullying. I think the fact that he's not super-sensitive about what other kids think and that he holds his own athletically really helps. I also think that the school really emphasizes being respectful of each other and there are just really nice kids in the school.
Now DS6 still doesn't have a group of best friends, but this was the case in K, so I doubt it's all the grade skip. Our area also tends to be very cliquish, parents and kids. When we moved here, we noticed that it's hard for both adults and kids to break into established groups, but we're okay with that as long as folks are nice...
