What are they?

Play is voluntary engagement in intrinsically motivated activities that are normally associated with pleasure and enjoyment. Play may consist of amusing, pretend or imaginary, interpersonal and intrapersonal interactions or interplay.

Why is it important?

Play is the way by which children learn. "Free" or unstructured play in early childhood is an important way that children learn about their world. Play is an important avenue through which social skills can develop. As they grow older they 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 impulses in order to do well at something as well as about space, and lots of other thinking skills. Above all, play is needed for fun and relaxation.

Building blocks necessary to develop play and social skills:

Play skills are determined by the ability to plan and sequence play activities (including new activities), problem solve challenges and generalise skills from one activity/toy to another. Social skills are determined by the ability to engage in reciprocal interaction with others (either verbally or non-verbally), to compromise with others, and be able to recognise and follow social norms.

You tell there are problems with play and social skills if the child:

• Has difficulty playing by themselves and demands constant attention.
• Flits between multiple activities without completing them (or actively engaging in them).
• Does not know how to occupy their time or entertain themselves.
• Has few friends or difficulty making friends.
• Requires adult assistance to problem solve.
• Likes to play alone and prefer parent/s or carer/s to not be involved.
• Engages in limited or very repetitive activities (e.g. only likes running around outside, just pushes the train up and down the track, etc.).
• Avoids eye contact.
• Does not initiate play.
• Does not engage in turn taking games (e.g. rolling a ball to and fro or taking turns building a tower).
• Seems fixated on the T.V or computer to extent that they will not engage in anything else.

When play and social skills are less than ideal, you might also see difficulties with:

• Emotional development.
• Sharing and understanding of rules.
• Socially appropriate behaviour.
• Development of language skills.

What can be done to improve Play and Social Skills?

• By tailoring treatment to the individual child, the therapist can select activities that are fun and meaningful, whilst still achieving therapeutic goals. Treatment may give parents fresh ideas on how to engage the child or present activities at a level that they feel they can succeed.
• Develop problem solving strategies.
• Create Social stories

Activities that can improve play and social skills include:

• Finding out through experimenting what types of fun activities and games the child enjoys.
• Engaging in a play activity with child regularly.
• Choosing play activities the child will enjoy.
• Modeling and showing child new and different things to do with a toy.
• Following the child's lead and copying what they do with a toy (i.e. don't be limited by what adults perceive should be done with a toy).
• Playing in different places e.g. on the floor, at the table, outside on the grass, etc.
• Get face to face with your child while playing.
• For the pre-school child organise Òplay datesÓ with other children.
• For the older child engage regularly in board games (e.g. Snakes and Ladders, Buckaroo, etc.) with your child or facilitate your child playing these type of games with another child.
• Develop stories as you play and ensure play is directed by the child.