Helping Children Develop Social Skills Through Play

By Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed., author of theLearning About Me & You, Learning to Get Along^®, and Being the Best Me!™series

Play can take on myriad of forms depending on the developmental maturity and personality of the child, the setting and resources available, and the child’s group of peers. Some might assume that if children aren’t involved in an adult-planned activity that they aren’t developing or learning anything important. Yet play isn’t just a frivolous way for kids to spend time when nothing else is structured for them. It can benefit them on many levels, including physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. Play can, in fact, influence a child’s overall growth as a person.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways children can mature through play:

• Physically: Children learn dexterity and strength as they engage in outdoor play. They develop curiosity as they…