Play & Social Skills

What are play and social skills?

Play is voluntary engagement in self motivated activities that are normally associated with pleasure and enjoyment. Play may consist of amusing, pretend or imaginary, constructive, interpersonal (play with others) or intrapersonal (solitary play) interactions. Play is the way that children learn about the environment, their bodies and their place in the world around them.

Social skills are the skills we use everyday to interact and communicate with others. They include verbal and non-verbal communication, such as speech, gestures, facial expressions, and body language. A person has strong social skills if they have the knowledge of how to behave in social situations and understand both written and implied rules when communicating with others.

Play and social skills include:

  • Play skills (with peers as well as alone)

  • Social skills (with peers)

  • Social communication

Why are play and social skills important?

Play is one way by which children learn. “Free” or unstructured play in early childhood is an important way that children learn about their world. Play is also an avenue through which social skills can develop. As they grow older, children learn about societal rules by making up games with rules, as well as about winning and losing and “playing fair”. They also learn about controlling their emotions and impulses in order to do well at something and about space, negotiating and problem solving. Above all, play is needed for fun and relaxation.

Social skills are vital in enabling an individual to have and maintain positive interactions with others. Many of these skills are crucial in making and sustaining friendships. Social interactions do not always run smoothly and an individual needs to be able to implement appropriate strategies, such as conflict resolution when difficulties in interactions arise. It is also important for individuals to have ‘empathy’ as it allows someone to respond in an understanding and caring way to how others are feeling.

When a child has difficulties with play and social skills you may notice:

  • Poor attention and concentration

  • Moves from one activity to another without playing with the item

  • Difficulty taking turns/sharing

  • Gets upset when ‘loses’ a game

  • Is not aware of others and fails to read other peoples feelings based on their verbal and non-verbal cues

  • Has trouble expressing/regulating emotions

  • Finds it difficult to make and maintain friendships

  • Always requires an adult to play with them

  • Has repetitive or narrow interests in toys/play

  • Prefers to play alone

  • Interrupts frequently

  • Is not able to maintain a topic of conversation and provides irrelevant comments during a conversation

  • Speaks ‘at you’ in a conversation versus engaging in a two way conversation

  • Does not understand consequences of their actions

Encouraging play and social skills in babies is essential for their emotional, cognitive, and social development. Here are some ways you can support these skills:

1. Face-to-Face Interaction

  • Babies learn a lot from facial expressions, eye contact, and vocal tones. Engage in face-to-face play, making silly faces, smiling, and talking to your baby. This fosters social connection.

  • Example: Play peek-a-boo. Babies love it, and it teaches them about turn-taking and anticipation.

2. Tummy Time

  • Tummy time is not only important for physical development but also for social interaction. While the baby is on their tummy, interact with them at eye level to encourage communication.

  • Example: Place toys or mirrors near them so they can reach and engage, and join in with playful sounds or gentle encouragement.

3. Responsive Parenting

  • Be responsive to your baby’s cues. When they make a sound, look at them, and respond with a smile or a word. This teaches babies the basics of conversation and helps them understand social interactions.

  • Example: If your baby babbles or coos, mimic their sounds or respond with short phrases like "I hear you!" or "You’re talking to me!"

4. Play with Toys Together

  • Simple toys like soft balls, rattles, or sensory toys help babies begin to explore cause and effect and encourage sharing and taking turns.

  • Example: Roll a ball back and forth, or take turns pushing a toy car along a surface.

5. Sing and Talk to Your Baby

  • Singing songs and talking in an exaggerated, friendly tone teaches babies language rhythm and promotes listening skills. Simple nursery rhymes also help with bonding.

  • Example: Sing simple songs like “Twinkle Twinkle” or “The Wheels on the Bus” and use hand motions that your baby can begin to associate with the actions.

6. Encourage Group Play (for older babies)

  • As babies grow, allowing them to interact with other babies or older children can promote social development. Observe their interactions and step in gently to guide them toward positive sharing and taking turns.

  • Example: Playdates with other babies give them opportunities to watch others and learn about social cues, even if they’re not actively playing together yet.

7. Provide a Safe Space for Exploration

  • Babies need to explore their environment in a safe, secure way. Create a baby-friendly play area with soft mats, age-appropriate toys, and no hazards, allowing them to experiment with their own movements and interactions.

  • Example: Set up a small play area with colorful toys that are easy to grasp, allowing the baby to engage and explore on their own while also encouraging you to join in.

8. Read Together

  • Reading simple books to your baby helps them learn to recognize sounds, words, and emotions. It’s also a wonderful bonding activity.

  • Example: Choose interactive books with textures or flaps that they can touch and explore while you read aloud to them.

9. Modeling Social Behavior

  • Babies learn by imitating. Show them positive social interactions by modeling sharing, greetings, or even simple acts like waving "hi" and "bye." They will start to mimic these behaviors.

  • Example: Wave at the baby and say, “Hi!” or “Bye-bye!” as part of your everyday routine, encouraging them to imitate you.

10. Positive Reinforcement

  • Praise your baby’s attempts at communication and play, even if they’re small. This encourages confidence in their social skills.

  • Example: When your baby reaches out to touch something or interacts with you, give lots of positive feedback with words like, “Good job!” or “You’re doing great!”

By integrating these activities into your daily routine, you'll be helping your baby develop the foundational skills they need for social interaction and emotional growth. Most importantly, enjoy these moments of connection and learning!

As always, reach out with any questions - amanda@purposefulplaypediatrics.com