THE ROLE OF PLAY: THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

This qualitative study investigated how playful activities, carried out in a social project with children from seven to ten years old, influence skills such as empathy, civility, self-control and assertiveness. The research used observations and the Social Skills Inventory (SSRS) to map the children's competencies over five meetings. The playful activities included games and group dynamics, stimulating interaction and cooperation among the participants. The results showed that playing favors socio-emotional development, promoting self-control, empathy and assertiveness, essential for building positive relationships and resolving conflicts. It was found that playing, in addition to being a pleasurable activity, is a valuable resource for the development of social skills, contributing to the improvement of interactions in the educational and social context of children.