About This Lesson
Play is a powerful part of learning and wellbeing, especially when students may need extra support with engagement, regulation, and connection. In schools and at home, play helps children build relationships, manage emotions, and stay motivated, and it looks different for every learner.
This Play-Based Social Skills Starter Pack helps students discover how they naturally like to play while exploring different types of play that support happiness and wellbeing. Through engaging, autism-friendly activities, students learn that there is no single "right" way to play. Whether they are creators, explorers, storytellers, movers, collectors, directors, competitors, or jokers, every student's unique play style has value.
Here's what you'll get
- My Play Match Activity
- Who Am I in Play? Play Personality Activity
- What's Your Favorite Way to Play? Classroom Poster
- Teacher implementation suggestions
- Autism-friendly visual supports
- Access to additional wellbeing resources and lesson plans
Why you'll love this activity bundle
- Helps students identify preferred play styles and interests
- Supports social-emotional learning and self-awareness
- Encourages strengths-based conversations about play
- Promotes social connection and relationship-building
- Supports IEP and BIP goals related to social skills, communication, and engagement
- Designed with autism-friendly learning principles in mind
Ways to use
- Social skills groups
- SEL lessons and classroom discussions
- Counseling sessions
- Autism support classrooms
- Brain breaks and community-building activities
- Family discussions about strengths and interests
Science of Permission to Play:
The science is clear: play is biologically essential. Neuroscientists have identified dedicated brain systems for play in mammals, showing that play supports learning, creativity, emotional regulation, and social connection.
Across the lifespan, play helps us explore ideas, solve problems, build identity, and connect with others. Children use play to make sense of their experiences and develop flexible thinking skills. Adolescents and adults who engage in play report greater joy, stronger relationships, and higher life satisfaction. For older adults, play supports social connection, mobility, and cognitive health.
Play is also deeply inclusive. For autistic individuals and other neurodivergent learners, honoring diverse play styles can reduce anxiety, support regulation, and foster a sense of belonging. When play is voluntary, joyful, and self-directed, it becomes one of the most accessible tools for wellbeing.
Benefits
Regular, meaningful play can help students, families, and educators:
- Improve emotional regulation and stress management
- Increase engagement, motivation, and focus
- Strengthen relationships and social connection
- Support creativity, curiosity, and flexible thinking
- Foster inclusion by honoring diverse play styles
- Boost overall wellbeing and life satisfaction
Learn more about the science of play.
Looking for more Permission to Play Resources?
- Explore the free Permission to Play Unit Study, which includes teaching slides, additional worksheets and activities, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism.
Bonus access to full lesson plans and unit studies on the skills of happiness at our Skill Center.
Proof Positive’s resources are and will always be free. Be well!
