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Play Is the Work of Social Learning
At the Peter Pan Center, you’ll often hear laughter, see kids digging in the dirt pile, or notice an impromptu game of tag. To the casual observer, it might look like we’re “just playing.”
But what’s actually happening is powerful, purposeful social coaching.
During play, kids practice real-world social skills in real time—things like taking turns, reading social cues, navigating disagreements, and building the confidence to say, “Hey, I want to play." Every moment of unstructured interaction offers a natural opportunity to coach skills like flexibility, cooperation, and perspective-taking.
We set the stage for these moments on purpose—and we’re right there beside the kids to support and guide them as they unfold.
The good news? You don’t have to be at the Center to do this kind of coaching.
Whether you’re a parent at the park or an educator watching kids during recess, here are a few simple ways to bring social coaching into your own setting:
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Narrate the social scene. Quietly point out what’s happening: “I see a few kids starting a game—looks like they’re choosing teams.”
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Offer gentle prompts. Help your child think about what they could do or say: “Is there a way you could join them?” or “What might you do if they say no?”
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Highlight progress. Afterward, focus on how they handled it, not just the outcome: “You waited your turn—that showed a lot of patience,” or “It was brave to join the other kids.”
When kids feel supported in small social moments, they build confidence and skills that stick. Play isn’t just downtime—it’s social learning in disguise.
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