Social Skills & Play

Play is the primary way children learn, explore, and make sense of the world. As OTs we see play is a child’s most important occupation. Through play, children develop motor skills, language, imagination, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and social connection. It is also the most natural and motivating way for therapy to take place.

What does OT support look like in this area?

OTs use play as a natural and motivating way to build social skills. Therapy strategies include:

• Structured cooperative games to practise turn-taking, sharing, and teamwork

• Role-play activities to rehearse greetings, conversations, or problem-solving

• Guided pretend play to develop imagination, empathy, and flexible thinking

• Visual or verbal supports to scaffold social interactions

How OT support helps this area in everyday life

Through OT, children become more confident at making friends, joining in games, and managing social conflicts. This leads to greater participation in school, sport, and family life.

How this skill can change as your child grows

• Toddlers: Parallel play, learning to share

• Preschoolers: Cooperative play and simple social problem-solving

• School-aged children: Team games, following rules, managing peer interactions

• Adolescents: Forming friendships, participating in group projects, navigating social expectations

How this skill can look at home, school, or in the community

• At home: sharing toys or engaging in family games

• At school: participating in group work or classroom activities

• In the community: joining clubs, sports teams, or playdates

Example

A child who avoided playground games with peers did role play and practised playing games during OT to gradually learn how to ask “Can I join in?”