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Social Emotional Learning Activities: Games That Teach Patience, Turn-Taking & Teamwork

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

-Fred Rogers, American television personality 

Whether you’re looking at preschoolers waiting for their turn in a game of pretend kitchen play, or siblings having a fun time with board games, social and emotional learning activities help in building the next generation of empathetic and emotionally intelligent human beings. 

Social emotional development activities through kids' learning toys go beyond just teaching the ABCs and 1-2-3s, they help children master the art of turn-taking, patience, teamwork, emotional resilience, and so on. 

In this blog, we are going to talk about how social skill toys and sensory toys can truly help boost cognitive development and encourage teamwork.

So, buckle up because we are about to dive deep into the world of social emotional learning, and have a whole lot of fun along the way.

Why Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is Important

SEL is not just feel-good toys, but thoughtfully chosen social emotional skills, activities, and games can be the core curriculum for helping your child excel through different aspects of life. 


  • It builds emotional strength

According to CASEL, SEL helps kids manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and make smart choices. This translates into fewer meltdowns and more responsible behavior. 


  • It boosts mental health

Social emotional development activities empower children to express themselves in a more refined way instead of simply throwing tantrums to exhibit their feelings. According to us, that is real progress. 


  • It works on academic and life skills

Studies have shown that students with strong social emotional skills can perform better academically. It also works on their social awareness and relationship skills. Therefore, there is a higher probability for them to become confident individuals and succeed in the long run.

4 Social Emotional Development Activities And Games For Kids

No matter if you're looking for social emotional development activities for your preschooler, or social emotional skills activities for young kids, these games from Skillmatics are going to become a functional yet playful toolkit for you to help your child learn skills that can last a lifetime!

Up Start | Entrepreneurship & Business Strategy Game 

Our Entrepreneurship & Business Strategy Game is an excellent game that combines leadership with engagement, empathy, and logic.


  • As kids learn to wait, plan, and pivot, they get to practice patience and strategic thinking. 
  • Handling different scenarios challenges emotional control and builds quick thinking and decision-making skills. 
  • Playful simulations with other people also help build empathy in children. 

Bento Box Blue | Pretend Play Kitchen Toys 

Pretend play kitchen toys help kids enjoy sensory-rich play that develops attention span and builds control in children as they engage in this social emotional development activity.


  • Imaginative role play in this game can fuel storytelling and creativity in kids. 
  • As kids cook together and learn the art of hosting pretend get-togethers, they also get acquainted with the concepts of sharing and cooperation. 
  • The idea of expressing their feelings through food and dialogue builds emotional expression. 

Let’s Play Restaurant | Magnetic Pretend Play Set 

Pasta pretend and play is one of the best socio-emotional activities and real-world role-play that comes in a super fun and playful setup.


  • Ordering, serving, and settling bills just like a real-life restaurant teaches kids all about turn-taking and negotiation. 
  • As kids feel empowered to run their own pretend restaurant, it helps them build more confidence to interact with others. 
  • By practicing customer orders and responding with empathy, children can engage in active listening. 
  • Handling and counting pretend money can help enhance your child’s math skills in a fun way. 

Guess in 10: Cities Around The World | Trivia Game (Ages 8+)

Our cities around the world game is a playful blend of geography, facts, and fun. 


  • By asking smart questions, waiting for their turn, and thinking before speaking, kids learn the power of critical thinking and patience. 
  • Collaborative play and debating facts with teammates can teach children about communication and teamwork.
  • Encourages curiosity about the world around them. 
  • Asking, answering questions, and learning together builds social confidence.

Tips for Parents and Educators

To enhance the impact of social-emotional activities for preschoolers or young kids, parents can use these important tips:


  • Practice what you preach

Display empathy, patience, and emotional control to help your child replicate all these virtues. 


  • Talk about feelings

One of the best social emotional learning activities would be to make it a routine to talk about feelings with your children. You can either do this during playtime, bedtime, or in car rides. 


  • Have family game time

You can use kids' learning toys like board games, puzzles, etc. to spend some quality time with them as a family. This can work wonders for strengthening your bond with your children. 


  • Praise effort

Always praise your child for the effort that he puts into his studies or playtime, regardless of the outcome. 


  • Keep a Zen zone in your home

Set up a cozy corner to encourage your child to learn to self-soothe whenever they feel strong emotions. 

Conclusion

The idea of social emotional learning is not to get a whiteboard or a worksheet, but to curate a purposeful playtime routine for your little ones. 

To that end, Skillmatics has a wide range of games and social-emotional development activities that can gently guide kids through their formative years by helping them learn fundamental life skills. 

So parents, let your child lose at a game! Let them cry when they don't win, and then let them try again! This will help them grow a little stronger, one step at a time.

FAQs 

1. How can toys help build social-emotional skills in kids?

Toys create a safe and low-pressure environment for children where they can learn to practice patience, teamwork, and empathy.

2. Which toys encourage pretend play and role-playing for emotional growth?

Skillmatics’ pretend play toys, Trivia games, etc., are perfect social emotional activities for preschoolers as they help promote emotional expression, critical thinking and understanding.

3. Can board and card games teach patience and strategy?

Games like Guess in 10 can teach children about waiting for their turn, planning moves, and dealing with wins or losses.

4. What age group are these SEL-based toys suitable for?

Skillmatics offers social emotional development activities for ages 2 to 10+, you can check them all out and pick the best age-appropriate one for your child.

5. Are these games suitable for group play and classrooms?

Yes! Many social emotional activities are designed for classrooms and group settings to encourage collaboration and meaningful conversation.

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