Activities that Enhance Social and Mental Development in Children - Crossroads Health

Activities for children that enhance social & mental development

If you think about it, how children develop is such a remarkable process. They learn so much in a relatively short time, like how to walk, talk, behave, express themselves, and play. The goal is for every child to have a positive experience growing and learning. And much of that relies on your involvement in the process.

You can positively impact your kids’ overall development. Let’s explore activities you can do with your child that enhances their social and mental development, in particular.

Understand Where Your Child is Socially and Mentally

First, it’s essential to know where your child is with their social and mental growth. Instead of trying anything to enhance their social skills and learning abilities, you can meet them where they are and with activities you know will help them progress.

For example, let’s say your child is shy around other kids. They have limited interactions with kids they do know and don’t seek out any engagement with kids they don’t know. Armed with this information, you know you will have to move slowly with socialization.

You could start with a one-on-one play date with the child your kid is most comfortable around. Doing these play dates regularly will help your child develop their social skills and eventually inspire them to interact with kids they don’t know at the park or another public place. 

Take note of where your child is socially, where their mental health is, what their learning abilities are, and how well they process their emotions right now. From there, you can identify activities that will help your child progress but are also mindful of where they are mentally and socially.

Teach Your Child How to Regulate Their Emotions

Teaching a child how to regulate their emotions is easier said than done. Emotional regulation requires a person to recognize, process, share, and show their emotions in an appropriate way. It’s difficult for adults to grasp regulating their emotions, let alone children.

All children, but young ones in particular, are in the middle of understanding who they are, how they think, what appropriate and inappropriate behavior is, and so forth. They’re still developing everything they need to understand and regulate their emotions healthily.

It won’t happen overnight. However, you can plant the seed of emotional regulation and keep watering it over the course of your child’s life to grow these skills.

It starts with you regulating your emotions appropriately first. Lead by example and your child will pick up the healthy ways you’re navigating your emotions.

Encourage your child to express their emotions, even if they’re negative, rather than repressing them. Punishing your child when they act out emotionally can cause them to feel like they have to hide how they’re feeling. Instead, ask questions to understand their reactions and remain calm in the situation.

Riding out the tantrum with them in a positive way will help teach them that it’s OK to feel how they’re feeling. They’ll eventually get through it with the right attitude and approach.

You should also introduce anxiety-reducing techniques to your child. Almost six million children have been diagnosed with anxiety according to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). When anxiety goes untreated, it may spark an emotional meltdown that can be incredibly overwhelming for children.

Show them things like mindfulness activities, yoga, and breathing techniques. Teach them to replace negative self-talk with positive self-talk in the moment. Experiment with relaxation techniques until you find ones that are well-suited to your child.

Spend Time Outdoors

One of the best things you can do with your child to stimulate them mentally and help them practice their social skills is to spend time outdoors. There’s a ton of research on how immersing oneself in nature can lower stress, improve mental health conditions, and help a person learn and ground themself.

Make time outdoors a priority so that your child can reap these benefits. You could go hiking with your kid to help develop cognitive and sensory skills. They’ll get a chance to learn about different elements of nature and how to best navigate them. Hiking also encourages curiosity and inspires creativity.

Here are other ideas for activities to do outdoors with your child to engage them in social and mental development:

• Go on a family camping trip
• Take a trip to one of America’s greatest national parks where they can indulge their sense of wonder
• Visit an ocean, lake, or local pond
• Go on nature walks around your neighborhood
• Take a road trip to learn about new places and cultures
• Take your child to the park so they can meet other kids and play with them

Keep adding to your list of outdoor activities to ensure your child gets the mental and social benefits of spending time outside.

Take Advantage of Events for Socialization

Spontaneous interactions with other kids, like those you have at a park or grocery store, are important for your child’s development. However, you can take socialization up a level when you attend events.

Parties and other events can support your child’s social development because they offer an opportunity for kids to naturally gravitate to each other and play together. In interacting with one another, children build empathy, confidence, and language skills. They start understanding how to work together and share, too.

Take your child to at least one party or kid-friendly event per month. It could be a birthday party for a classmate. It could be story and playtime at the library. It could be an event they’re throwing at your local community center.

Try these activities to enhance your child’s social and mental development. If they need extra support, don’t be afraid to rely on the help of a professional to ensure your child is making progress.

Guest post by Luke Smith