A number of studies have indicated that games can help kids develop essential emotional and intellectual skills that support academic achievement.  For most preschoolers, collaborative games are a highly-social activity. In many of these games, players work together in teams to achieve goals, compete against other players or both. Their teamwork abilities are put to the test, and they must hone their communication and interpersonal skills in order to progress.

These pro-social behaviors are critical for healthy social development — children with positive social skills are more likely to have high self-esteem, good peer relationships and achieve in school. For this activity, we played a game called Rain Rain, Go Away. Each child was given a paper raindrop that they were told to hold onto as they walked across the circle rug.

They would do this during the music, and when the music stopped, they were instructed to put their raindrops on the ground to sit on. There were also segments in the music where rain sounds would initiate, and during this portion, students placed their raindrops over their heads.

In addition to the social benefits acquired, your little one was given the opportunity to practice their listening skills! Listening skills are very important because they help children learn how to develop their language skills, so we are constantly playing games that foster this important developmental task.