Recess can be great for developing a child’s social skills
Is your child struggling to develop social skills? Do not panic because this is not uncommon for children these days. With all the technology that is available today, it seems like children spend more time looking at television, computer and phone screens than socializing with other children. However, recess at school is still a great way for kids to build social awareness and relationship skills.
Play Social Skill Games
There are all sorts of fun games that children can play at recess that can help build social skills. Games that require team collaboration are great. When kids need to put their heads together to solve a problem or conquer a task, they are more likely to work with each other.
Teach Positive Social Behavior
Children will often model the behavior of adults. For this reason, it is a good idea to lead by example. Be encouraging by saying things like “good job, good game” when they are finished playing. Also, you can join their games and show how they should be played.
Always Agree On The Rules
How often do you hear children bickering about the rules of a simple game? It is important for children in elementary school to learn to follow social expectations. This can be done by writing the rules down somewhere on the playground. It is important to set a rule that kids cannot be excluded from participating in games. This will force kids to play with other kids that they do not normally interact with.
Teach Games That Encourage Cooperation
Children need to learn how to work with others. This is one of the most important skills a child should learn at a young age. On the playground, kids should be taught all sorts of team games such as basketball and capture the flag. In addition, games that allow children to cheer on their teammates are a great way to build relationship skills.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (202) 561-1110 (Washington, D.C. office) or (301) 577-4333 (Lanham office). Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.