A–Z Glossary

Peer play

Social play is play that helps children practice communication, cooperation, turn-taking, rule negotiation, and handling emotions with others.

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Search results for: Peer play

Improving social interaction skills

Improving social interaction skills

What social interaction skills are Social interaction skills are the behaviors that help a child connect with other people. They include noticing another person’s face or body language, waiting for a turn, asking a follow-up question, and adjusting words or tone to fit the moment. In medical and educational language, this area may be described […]

Why play is important for children

Why play is important for children

Play is a core part of development In child development, play is best understood as active exploration. A child who stacks blocks, pretends to cook, chases a ball, or invents rules for a game is not simply passing time. The child is testing ideas, adjusting to feedback, and learning how actions lead to consequences. That […]

Balancing group and solo play

Balancing group and solo play

Why balancing play styles matters Play is not a single skill. In early childhood, it is a cluster of abilities that includes exploration, communication, imitation, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. A child who enjoys alone time may be practicing different skills from a child who thrives in a busy group, but both are learning. That is […]

Outdoor games for children

Outdoor games for children

Why outdoor games matter Outdoor games are more than a way to pass the time. They help children accumulate physical activity in a form that usually feels enjoyable rather than imposed. In the research literature, more outdoor time is associated with greater activity and less sedentary behaviour, and that pattern is especially relevant in childhood, […]