Building Social Skills Through Play – The Power of Interaction in Child Development

In Phnom Penh, more families and educators are using structured play to support children with autism, ADHD, and social communication difficulties. Through play, children learn how to cooperate, share, resolve conflict, and develop empathy—skills that are essential for school and everyday life. Especially for children who find socializing challenging, interactive play becomes a safe and natural way to build confidence and connection.

Why Social Skills Matter in Early Childhood
Social development is just as important as academic progress. Children who can communicate, take turns, and handle emotions are better equipped for classroom learning and long-term friendships. Play gives children the chance to:

• Practice turn-taking and patience

• Use eye contact and body language

• Express feelings in a healthy way

• Understand others’ perspectives

These skills are especially critical for children with autism or developmental delays, who may not naturally pick up on social cues without guided support.

Interactive Games That Teach Social Skills
You don’t need fancy materials to help children grow socially. Simple, face-to-face games like:

• Clapping games to encourage timing and turn-taking

• Simon Says to support attention and impulse control

• Role-play or pretend games to explore emotions and storytelling

These activities are effective when done consistently, especially when guided by a caregiver, therapist, or teacher who can model and reinforce the behaviors.

Social Development in Therapy Settings
In professional settings, therapists often use group or paired play to support children with social difficulties. Goals might include:

• Initiating play with peers

• Responding appropriately in conversation

• Recognizing facial expressions or body language

• Transitioning between tasks with peers

Therapists create structured social play environments where children can practice these skills with gentle guidance and positive reinforcement.

How OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh Supports Social Development
At OrbRom Center, our special needs intervention programs include targeted social skills training through play. We offer one-on-one and small group sessions that encourage children to build relationships, regulate emotions, and feel confident in social situations. Whether your child is on the autism spectrum or simply needs more support interacting with peers, our Phnom Penh-based therapists are here to help.