Teaching Social Skills and Navigating the Playground
written by Annette Nunez, posted on Autism Parenting Magazine
Recess is often thought of as a break for both teachers and children. It is a time for teachers to take a breather, eat a snack, go to the bathroom, check emails, etc. As for children, recess is seen as a time for them to “let some energy out.”
However, after spending ten years observing thousands of children play at various recesses at multiple schools, I have come to the conclusion that recess is the most important part of a child’s day.
Play is essential to social skill development and is instrumental in helping children understand their social world. When children come together and play, they form a peer culture that is uniquely their own.
Through play, children are forced to navigate their social world independently and develop their interpersonal skills and social knowledge.