Play is an essential part of childhood and an important tool for children's development. Early social games, like peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek, play a big role in helping children build social skills, develop empathy, and form positive relationships. Children often use their parents as the "toys" in these social games, using them as the tools for exploration of the world around them. Professionals often call these – people games or social games.
People games are great for building relationships, social skills, and communication. They need at least two people, but usually do not require any toys. They typically follow a repetitive, or repeating, pattern that children can follow and expect to be played in the same way each time. Parents often use these entertaining games during wait times, car rides, or just-for-fun! They are essentially free and only require a bit of creativity.
Does your family have established play routines that you engage in with your child? These can be as simple as a high-five or as complex as a song your family made up to sing together before going to bed. These routines are usually something your child really enjoys doing with you. When you play these social games the same way each time, your child can remember the game and recognize how they can interact with you during the game. Be sure to repeat, repeat, repeat the game many times so your child is able to participate with you eventually.
The Importance of Early Social Games
Language Development: Interacting with others, particularly adults and peers, helps children acquire language skills. They learn new words, sentence structures, and communication styles through conversations and social interactions.
Social Skills: People games teach children important social skills such as taking turns and cooperation. These skills are essential for forming positive relationships and navigating social situations.
Emotional Regulation: Through interactions with caregivers and peers, children learn to identify and express their emotions. They also develop strategies for coping with emotions like anger, frustration, and sadness.
Empathy and Understanding: People games allow children to understand the perspectives and feelings of others. They learn to empathize, appreciate diversity, and show kindness and compassion.
Cognitive Development: People games challenge children's cognitive abilities, enhancing their memory, attention, and critical thinking skills.
Physical Development: Physical play with others helps children develop gross motor skills (e.g., running, jumping) and fine motor skills (e.g., drawing, building).
Cultural and Social Norms: Children learn cultural norms and values by observing how people interact. They pick up on societal expectations, manners, and etiquette through people games.
Identity Formation: Interactions with peers help children form a sense of self and identity. They learn about their interests, strengths, and areas where they need improvement.
Children Who Can Benefit From Social Games
Children who are early learners - babies & toddlers
Children who are avoidant of social interaction
Children who have developmental delays
Children who prefer screen-time to interacting with people
Early Social Games to Play with your Child
Peek-a-Boo:
This game is great for teaching children social interaction and engagement at an early age. It also teaches object permanence (understanding that objects and people are still there, even if you can’t see them) and how to predict routines. Be sure to get face-to-face with your child so they know you are socially interacting with them. Get animated and have fun while you hide behind your hands, a blanket, or a book. Then, show your child the routine – smile at them, hide, then build some anticipation by pausing before popping out to say “boo!”. Have your child take a turn by hiding them under a blanket or behind a book. When they are hidden, add in a verbal routine. You could say "Where's [name]? Where's [name]?" then uncovering them saying, "Found you!"
Horsey Ride
“Ride a little horsey, Into town, Better be careful, So you don’t fall down!”
Knee-bouncing songs and games have been a favorite for children for a long time. This game is perfect for practicing imitation skills, learning routines, and predicting outcomes. Bounce your child on your knee facing you as you playfully help them ride the “horse” and “fall down”. Change up the routine by having your child “fall down” to the side or in-between your legs.
Finger Songs/Games
In addition to communication and social skills, finger songs can help motor development and imitation. Children can learn the songs vocabulary and practice imitating your actions while making the finger motions. Here are some great songs with finger plays:
Itsy, Bitsy Spider
Little Piggies
Twinkle, Twinkle
5 Little Speckled Frogs
Open Them, Shut Them
Chase
Playing tag or chase can help not only with building social interaction skills, but also motor development. Running and navigating the environment as children play chase can help build muscles, promote balance and coordination, and spatial awareness. Some great chase games include:
Ready, Set, Go!
Chase and Tickle
Duck, Duck, Goose
Freeze Tag
Simon Says:
A classic game that teaches children to follow instructions and enhances their listening skills. Take turns being "Simon" and have the children mimic your actions only if you preface them with "Simon says." For example, "Simon says touch your toes." If you give a command without saying "Simon says" first, and a child follows it, they're out of the game. The last child remaining wins the round.
I-spy
This game is perfect for practicing taking turns and creativity. It also helps to grow vocabulary and language. Plus, I-spy can be played a variety of ways and adapted to children’s needs and interests. Play by “spying” objects by color (“I-spy something red”), things that begin with different letters (“I-spy something that starts with an S”), or using adjectives and verbs (“I-spy something tall” or “I-spy something you can eat”).
Guess What
This is a social, people game for children to practice putting their vocabulary and language skills to work by describing and making inferences. Start by picking a category that interests your child (e.g., animals, dinosaurs, vehicles, princesses, etc.). Then, give your child some clues to help them guess what you’re thinking about (“I’m thinking of an animal that lives on the farm/is big/you can ride.”). Try to start with clues that are less obvious and move to clear clues to help support your child to be successful during the game. See if your child can switch roles and give the clues!
Teaching children early social, “people”, games is not just about having fun; it's about equipping them with essential life skills. These games lay the foundation for cooperation, empathy, and positive relationships, which are important for their development and well-being. By incorporating creative and enjoyable social games into their daily routines, parents and educators can help children build the social skills they need to thrive in the future. So, let the games begin, and watch your children grow into socially adept and empathetic individuals.
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