Ask a child if they want to play, and you will surely get a resounding “YES!” every time. Children are naturally curious and always looking for something new to explore, and curiosity is synonymous with exploration. While play is often seen as part of a child’s routine, it is an opportunity for them to try different things, take risks, and develop life skills.
Much literature suggests that play enhances social, emotional, intellectual, motor, and imaginative development. It is a playground where they can explore the world, try different things, and connect with others. It’s the most effective way to learn. Play is essential for a child’s social and emotional well-being and, aside from giving fun.
Therefore, parents and educators should provide meaningful play opportunities that challenge children’s perceptions. Here are some ways that parents and educators can support children’s social and emotional development through engaging play.
- Play Interactive Games
Use a playful approach to teaching children about complex emotions. By guiding them through emotional challenges, children learn valuable coping strategies. Interactive SEL Games can be tools for managing anger, frustration, or sadness. Choose ones that encourage conversations about the importance of all emotions and promote self-awareness and self-management.
Play games such as Cubes, Emotions Bingo, spinner games, etc.
- Do Some Coloring Activities
Children may think of coloring as just another form of creative play, but coloring as a mindfulness technique can significantly benefit children’s social-emotional development. It promotes focus and concentration, helping to reduce anxiety and stress. The act of choosing colors and filling in spaces encourages self-expression and creativity. Coloring can be a calming activity, helping to relax and improve overall mood.
- Plan Family Games
- Roleplay and Storytelling
Role-playing and Storytelling develop empathy by allowing children to take on different perspectives. Imagination and creativity are encouraged as children create their own characters and make their own stories and narratives. It is an opportunity for them to enhance their social skills, practice conflict resolution, and express themselves emotionally in a safe environment. Through these activities, children learn to cooperate, communicate effectively, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others.
During role-playing, practice common social interactions such as ordering food, going to the doctor, or having a conversation with a friend. Use puppets or create stories together, allowing children to contribute characters, plots, and endings. Discuss the feelings and motivations of the characters to make the play activity more meaningful.
Here are some SEL Ebooks that guide you and your children when making SEL-related stories or role-play:
- Allow free play
As much as we want to curate play opportunities to target a particular skill, free play helps children explore and be architects of their learning experiences. It provides a safe space for children to explore their interests, make choices, and solve problems independently. Ultimately, free play empowers children to become self-directed learners and confident individuals.
Open-ended play is a powerful tool for child development. By providing simple materials such as dolls, blocks, and boxes, we create a canvas for children’s imaginations to run wild. Let their creativity flourish without strict guidelines. While occasional prompts can spark creativity, it’s important to step back and observe as they explore, experiment, and discover. Watch and support their exploration as they build, imagine, and learn at their own pace.
Social-emotional learning is an important aspect of children’s development that encompasses their childhood and can positively influence their adulthood. By embracing play as a powerful tool, parents and educators can create a nurturing environment where children can thrive. Let’s join our children on this adventure of discovery and build a strong foundation of social-emotional learning for their future.
Want to know more about SEL? Edufrienz has a huge library of SEL resources. They offer fun worksheets, books, and other engaging resources that provide opportunities for SEL development.
