social games

One of my favorite ways to promote social skills in young children is to use games. You can set this up with an adult or another child. Children learn turn-taking, following rules, sharing, waiting, requesting, cause/effect, etc, etc..... I work with preschoolers so the games are geared toward that age. Here are some of my tried & true favorites(you can click the links to get more information):

Balloon Lagoon-a little complicated because you do need to spell simple words. I have played it with some advanced preschoolers.

Don't Break the Ice

Buckaroo-I LOVE this game and kids do too. You take turns putting the pieces on the horse, but you have to do it carefully or else he will "buck" and throw all the pieces off.
Let's Go Fishin
Perfection: Put all the shapes in as fast as you can before the timer stops. Great teamwork game!
CandyLand Castle

Lucky Ducks

Zingo-another big favorite!

Sounds by the Seashore- Listen & match sounds

And my all-time favorite-Cariboo! LOVE this game and lots of great skills can be worked on.

With all of these games you can encourage turn-taking and sharing. You can work on "my turn" "your turn". Kids can ask each other for materials needed to play the game. You can model language that goes with the game (i.e. "i got a match", "it's a red ball", "be careful-don't break the ice") Games provide lots of repetition and allow kids to imitate what others do on their turns. Games are also a fun way to engage your child in social interaction! What games do you play with your kids?