The importance of play in developing children’s social skills

Abstract

Play has a very important meaning in a child's life, no different from the importance of work for adults. When children engage in play activities, they use their imaginations to simulate diverse experiences, serving as models for real-life situations. They learn to negotiate and cooperate with other children while playing, learn to express their emotions, thereby building better emotional self-regulation, communication and social interaction skills. Children who play regularly also demonstrate stronger creative and critical thinking abilities.