The role of the game in developing social and emotional skills

Board games are not just hobbies, it is a deep, nature and at the same time highly effective way of learning where the child is recognized in the world, himself and others.

Before the school desk, children learned to understand emotions, develop relationships and adjust the gaming environment. It is important to be aware that a game is not a waste of time, but a variety of emotional intelligence and social capabilities. In this article, we will consider how exactly the board games affect the development of social and emotional skills, what forms are most effective for all ages, as well as what adults play in this process.

What are socio-emotional skills?

Social and emotional skills are the ability to recognize and understand their own feelings, emphasizing others’ feelings, developing a healthy relationship, cooperating, solving conflicts and acting responsible for society.

The main ingredient of socio-emotional development:

• Selfareness (understanding their emotions, needs and behavior);

• emotional self -regulation (the ability to control impulses, cope with emotions);

• empathy (the ability to put himself in another person’s place);

• social skills (cooperation, communication, conflict resolution);

• Responsible decision -making (evaluation of situations, consideration of consequences).

These skills have a direct impact on further training, friendship, team adaptation and general mental health.

Why is the game the best field of training?

The children learned the action. The game is a natural environment where there are no assessments, but there is a space for experiments, mistakes, repeating and intuitive assimilation of new behavior.

What is the unique game for socio-emotional development?

• It provides the experience of this relationship with other children.

• Allows you to live with complex emotions (sadness, anger, joy, admiration) in an acceptable -acceptable form.

• She teaches flexibility – the child adapts to changing policies.

• Helps in a safe way to exercise reactions to conflicts.

• Creates opportunities for emotional feedback from peers.

The more children are playing with others, the more active he is practicing empathy, cooperation and the ability to express himself without aggression.

Types of games that stimulate socio-emotional skills

Not all games are equally contributing to emotional development. The greatest effect is that there are forms that provide for the participation of many people, role reincarnation or plot coherence.

The following types of games are especially effective:

• Role -playing (school play, hospital, family) -contribute to empathy and understanding social duties;

• Board of Board with policies – teach alternating, compliance with conditions, defeating defeat;

• Construction and plot – stimulate cooperation, planning and solving general problems;

• Games with emotional cards or mirrors of emotions – help to study and call emotions;

• External team games – support coordination skills, teamwork teamwork, honest games.

Effects beyond the game space

The results of an emotional saturated and social active game do not disappear after the end of the game session. They appear in the day -to -day behavior of the child -at school, at home, in circles.

Socio-emotional game has long-term results:

• reduces the level of anxiety and anger;

• strengthens self-esteem for contact success;

• contributes to the development of moral guidelines (justice, honesty);

• improves cooperation and leadership skills;

• Increased readiness for studying in a formal environment.

This is the unseen basis that in the future contributes to academic success, performance, self -reflection and effective communication.