Psychological games are a valuable tool for the emotional and social development of children. Through play, children can explore their emotions, develop communication skills, learn to solve problems, and strengthen their self-esteem. In this article, we will explore 10 psychological games for children, how to use them effectively and the benefits they bring to their emotional and mental well-being.
1. Role Play
Role play is an activity that allows children to explore different identities and situations. They can play roles of adults, animals, or other fictional characters, which helps them develop empathy and improve their social skills. This game allows them to experience different perspectives, encouraging creativity and problem solving.
Tips for using role play:
- Provide props and costumes for children to immerse themselves in their characters.
- Encourage children to improvise dialogues and situations.
- Reinforce the importance of respecting other characters and their roles.
2. Hot chair game
The hot chair game is a dynamic that encourages active listening and the expression of emotions. A child sits in a chair and the others ask him questions or give him statements to respond. This promotes self-confidence and the development of communication skills.
Tips for using the hot seat game:
- Establish clear rules about respect and empathy during the game.
- Encourage children to express their emotions honestly and openly.
- Encourage active listening among participants.
3. Desert island game
The desert island game is an activity that encourages collaboration and teamwork. Children must imagine that they are stranded on an island and decide what objects they would take with them to survive. This game encourages decision making, negotiation and conflict resolution as a group.
Tips for using the desert island game:
- Promotes discussion and exchange of ideas between participants.
- Encourages creativity by proposing innovative solutions to the problems raised.
- Highlights the importance of working together to achieve a common goal.
4. Trust game
The trust game is an activity that strengthens emotional ties between children. It is done in pairs, where one of them falls backwards and the other supports him, demonstrating mutual trust. This game promotes empathy, solidarity and emotional bonding between participants.
Tips for using the trust game:
- Guarantees a safe and supervised environment to perform the game.
- Encourage children to communicate during the activity and express their emotions.
- Reinforces the importance of trust and responsibility in interpersonal relationships.
5. Emotional memory game
The emotional memory game is an activity that helps children identify and express their emotions. A series of cards with different facial expressions are shown and children must associate them with specific emotions. This game encourages emotional intelligence and empathy towards others.
Tips for using the emotional memory game:
- Promotes reflection and dialogue about the emotions represented on the cards.
- Encourage children to share their own emotional experiences related to the cards.
- Recognize the diversity of emotions and validate the expression of each of them.
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6. Emotional mirror game
The emotional mirror game is a dynamic that encourages empathy and understanding of one's own and others' emotions. Children pair up and must imitate their partner's facial and body expressions, trying to identify the emotion they are representing. This activity strengthens the ability to recognize and regulate emotions.
Tips for using the emotional mirror game:
- Encourage children to observe in detail the emotional expressions of your partner.
- Encourages non-verbal communication and emotional attunement between participants.
- Promotes empathy by putting yourself in the other's shoes and understanding their emotions.
7. Surprise box game
The surprise box game is an activity that stimulates children's creativity and imagination. A series of objects are placed inside a box and the children must take them out one by one and create a story related to each object. This game encourages storytelling, problem solving, and creative expression.
Tips for using the jack-in-the-box game:
- Encourage children to use all the senses to explore the objects in the box.
- Promotes collaboration between participants to build a joint story.
- Recognizes and values the originality and creativity of the stories created by the participants. children.
8. Emotions in a bottle game
The emotions in a bottle game is a sensory activity that helps children identify and regulate their emotions. Bottles are prepared with different colors and materials to represent different emotional states. Children can shake the bottles and observe how the elements move inside them, allowing them to connect with their emotions visually and tactilely.
Tips for using the bottle emotions game:
- Invite children to express what emotions each bottle evokes in them and why.
- Encourage emotional self-regulation by identifying strategies to calm down.
- Validate children's emotions and offers them tools to manage them in a healthy way.
9. Strengths Card Game
The strengths card game is an activity that promotes self-esteem and self-knowledge in children. Cards are created with positive qualities and personal strengths, and children choose the ones that most identify with them. This game encourages valuing oneself, accepting diversity and building a positive identity.
Tips for using the strengths card game:
- Provides a space for reflection and dialogue about each child's strengths.
- Recognizes and enhances children's positive qualities to strengthen their self-esteem.
- Establishes a climate of support and respect among the participants during the activity.
10. Game of goals and desires
The game of goals and desires is an activity that promotes planning and motivation in children. Children are invited to imagine their short- and long-term goals and desires, and make a plan to achieve them. This game encourages self-efficacy, perseverance, and a positive vision for the future.
Tips for using the goals and desires game:
- Encourage children to share their goals and desires with the group to inspire each other.
- Encourages creativity by looking for solutions and strategies to achieve the proposed goals.
- Recognizes and celebrates children's achievements in the process to meet their goals.
In conclusion, psychological games are a powerful tool to promote the emotional, social and cognitive development of children. By using these games appropriately, children can strengthen their self-esteem, improve their communication skills, learn to work as a team, and develop greater emotional awareness. Dare to incorporate these psychological games into your children's lives and watch them flourish in an environment of fun and emotional learning!