The Importance of Play in the Development of Social Skills
Social skills consist of the behaviors exhibited by the individual in order to fulfill his social responsibilities. These are learned behaviors. For various reasons, children cannot acquire social skills or cannot adequately demonstrate their existing skills. Children who generally have inadequate social skills compared to their peers; They face various problems in social relations, school life, academic studies and emotional-behavioral areas due to problems such as focusing and maintaining attention, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, inability to distinguish the stimuli around them, inability to read communicative cues such as gestures, facial expressions and limited communication skills. Many social skill deficiencies observed in these children (not following the rules, not waiting their turn, not listening, not being able to finish the activity, not being able to concentrate their attention, not following the instructions, etc.) are perceived as problem behavior by teachers and other people around them. p>
In order to increase the quality of life of children, "social skills teaching" programs must be included in education. Teaching these skills;
- Makes it easier to learn academic skills.
- independent study, following instructions, using free time, etc.
- Improves friend/teacher relationships that will increase the level of social acceptance.
- Increases social adaptation behaviors.
- sharing, fulfilling responsibilities. bringing, obeying the rules, etc.
• Improves self-control skills.
- Controlling anger/resentment, impulse control, obeying the rules, time management, such as solving problems, accepting criticism, expressing emotions.
The Importance of Play in the Development of Social Skills
Game is the child's most important job in life. Learns survival skills through play. He searches for and finds order in the complex world in which he was born. He learns to control his body through play. Through play, he explores and discovers the concrete world around him. He collects information about it and learns to think. Express your emotional problems rur learns to control his primitive emotions. Learns to establish a healthier and more sensitive relationship with people. Through play, he learns to be a social being and take part in society. It makes him feel good and helps him gain the necessary skills to live life to the fullest. All human behaviors, except reflexive ones, are learned behaviors. Children shape their own behavior by observing or imitating the behavior of their peers and adults. Game is a set of activities that provide a wide learning environment. Play enables active learning and the development of social skills. There is an internal motivation in the game and the game is a process. The action itself is important, not the results to be obtained at the end of the action.
Game gives pleasure. The child chooses how to play and the game himself. He plays imaginary games and the child manages himself during the game. The game requires the active participation of those who play the game, verbally, mentally or physically. Play allows the child to explore the world of adults and provides freedom and satisfaction of psychological needs. Individuals have the opportunity to learn the behaviors that society expects from them through play. The first step in the process of adaptation to society is taken through games. The child gets the opportunity to understand, research, discover and realize through play.
Methods That Increase Social Communication
Direct Instruction
Social skills are divided and taught in small steps. Then the method becomes more possible for generalization. Role plays, games and puppets are just some of the many tools that can help in teaching. It may be more appropriate to apply it in natural environments.
Social Games
These stories can also consist of simple drawings and photographs. When doing this, it is necessary to consider the following:
What is the target? How is it achieved?
Peer-Initiated Strategies
Environments arranged with understanding peers are a good environment for children to use and develop their social skills. can create. Thus, the desired appropriate behavior The frequency of fulfillment may increase.
Research has shown that in environments where social integration is achieved, children's social and verbal interactions increase, and children display a higher level in the games they play with their peers. Most children who have problems with language development also have problems with social skills. Children of nursery and kindergarten age should have age-appropriate social skills, even if they do not go to school. For example; such as waiting, taking turns, sharing, and solving problems appropriately. A child needs social skills to have successful relationships and communication with other children. These are important for making and keeping friends. Children who have problems in their social skills will exhibit problem behaviors and as a result, they will be lonely and have adaptation problems.
If you have a child who has problems in these areas, it will be useful to get help from a speech therapist as soon as possible and ensure that your child receives support. Therapy started at an early age brings more success in a shorter time.
Most importantly, limit technological devices and play plenty of games with your child. The best learning takes place in the most enjoyable environment.
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