Which strategy is recommended for enhancing social skills in school-aged children?

Facilitating group activities and teamwork is a highly effective strategy for enhancing social skills in school-aged children. This approach provides opportunities for children to interact with their peers, practice communication, and learn essential collaboration skills. Through group activities, children engage in conversations, negotiate roles, and develop empathy as they work towards a common goal. These experiences are crucial for building confidence and social competence, which are foundational elements for healthy social development.

In contrast, encouraging isolated play would limit opportunities for children to practice and reinforce their social interactions. Limiting social interactions would hinder the child's ability to develop and maintain friendships and could lead to feelings of loneliness or social anxiety. Similarly, focusing only on competitive play can create an environment that fosters rivalry over cooperation, which may inhibit the development of meaningful social connections. Hence, the emphasis on teamwork and collaborative activities is essential for fostering positive social experiences among peers.