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Social games can help change the culture of your group and reinforce life skills.

When young people learn through playing together they

• Learn to solve their problems together.
• Feel empowered by the acquisition of skills and confidence.
• Learn skills for living.
• Become the leaders and peacemakers of the future.
• Learn how to lose yet get up and have another go (resilience).
• Learn that everything won’t always go their way.
• Learn that in real life, you have to learn to work cooperatively as a team,even though you may not like or get along with everyone on the team.
• Learn that more can be achieved by working in a cooperative group.

 

 

 

The deliberate teaching of social skills such as those contained in Social Games for Kids results in a more caring atmosphere among groups -school or youth groups – along with improved communication skills, more willingness to cooperate, less violence, fewer put-downs and an improved level of empathy.

 

 

 

 

 

The young people who have learned life skills like team and leadership, conflict resolution, improved and assertive communication and problem solving through games have also shown improved levels of frustration tolerance and self-control as well as a better understanding of the consequences of their behaviour. Improved problem solving skills also lead to the child being more resilient.

 

 

 

 

The power of peer learning is widely recognised as an effective means of conveying messages to young people about safe and responsible sex and alcohol use, the dangers of smoking as well as drug use and road safety.  The same effectiveness has been demonstrated through the medium of the group that plays together to learn interpersonal and conflict resolution skills and anger management from their peers and role models.

 

 

 

This improvement in life skills that occurs when young people play social games – whether a class, year cohort, student councillors or school leaders or a youth group –makes for superb role models and mentors for other youth. This often results in a culture shift from bullying, put-downs and a ‘me first’ attitude to a mutual support and team mentality.