Inclusive games are a powerful tool to foster integration, empathy and the development of social skills in children of all ages and abilities.

Let's start from the principle that play as an activity between people has as its objective the interaction between them, generating long-lasting discovery learning over time. For this reason, the time shared playing, in addition to being fun, is a time to enjoy and encourage the development of cognitive and mental skills. 

What are inclusive games for children?

Inclusive games for children with adhd are play activities designed to be accessible to all children, regardless of their social, cultural or physical background. These activities promote the participation of all, encouraging interaction between children with and without disabilities. A game is considered inclusive when it allows the active participation of all players, respecting diversity and encouraging cooperation.

Inclusive play is a tool to promote and work towards full inclusion, where children feel valued and respected, regardless of their abilities and skills, guaranteeing the same rights and opportunities for all.

Characteristics of inclusive games

Inclusion refers to accepting a group of people with different physical, intellectual and emotional abilities, on equal terms, without prejudice of any kind. Inclusive games seek to unite children with different conditions in recreational activities, and have these characteristics:

1. Accessibility : Games should be adaptable to the different physical and mental abilities of children.
2. Collaboration : They promote teamwork and cooperation, rather than competition.
3. Adaptability : The rules and dynamics can be modified to allow the inclusion of all participants.
4. Diversity : They encourage respect and celebration of differences among players.
5. Skill development : They contribute to the social, emotional and physical development of children.

Inclusive games for children

Board games : There are hundreds of games that can be enjoyed by children of all ages. The most important thing when using them with children is to remember to adjust the difficulty of the one we choose to their age and level of intellectual development. If we choose one that has too many rules or is too complicated, the little ones may end up getting bored .

Among the simplest and most suitable for all audiences are the following:

• The goose : it is a classic in the world of board speed games for kids. The objective is to get our piece to the end of the board, traveling along the way through a multitude of special squares that will make the game more entertaining.
• Battleship : This is a perfect game to develop spatial vision while having fun. It involves trying to find all of your opponent's "ships" on a board before he guesses where yours are.
• Parcheesi : This is one of the most famous games of all time. The goal is to move four pieces around a board until you get them “home” before your opponents do. It is a simple but fun pastime, perfect for playing with children and older players.

Outdoor Activities: If the weather permits, and the space is adequate, going outdoors is a good option to play these didactic games for children:

• Relay races : This is an event where four participants work as a team to reach the finish line. The goal is to reach the finish line as quickly as possible, with each team member taking turns to complete a part of the course. It can be adapted so that everyone can participate based on their abilities.
• Treasure hunt :Treasure hunt: This is a game that boys and girls of all ages love. It is a very complete game where several children play, they have to pass a series of tests and think about the clues they are given to find the treasure, which can be a designer sunglasses for kids from the Kiddus brand. You can make this game shorter or longer depending on the tests and clues you prepare.

Role-playing: This can include stories that reflect different realities. They can take on the role of another, for example: being a teacher, a doctor, a superhero, an animal, in short, whatever they want to be. This helps build empathy and mutual understanding.

Inclusive games for teenagers

Games are a great way to foster social relationships, stay active, improve wit and intellect, and generally grow and develop in a good way. For young teenagers, there are a variety of best children activities for winter that promote these social relationships:

• Creative workshops : Art activities such as painting, sculpture or theatre creation engage teens in a collaborative way, allowing each to contribute unique skills.
• Ball games :Volleyball, football , basketball are very popular and don't require anything more than a ball. It is not even necessary for the ball to be special for the sport, a plastic ball will suffice in most cases. These games help to encourage inclusion and teamwork.
• Strategy games : games like "Catan" or "Risk" are ideal, as they allow for planning and group work, adapting to the needs of the players.These games combine strategy, negotiation and fun.

Inclusive games for children with disabilities

Although children are genuinely inclusive, it is important to instill the theme of inclusion from an early age in order to generate more empathy, respect and kindness with those children and adults who have a special condition. For this reason, we consider it necessary to integrate inclusive games in the infant and primary classroom so that all children learn to live together and respect everyone equally.

• Sensory Play : Sensory play is any activity that stimulates the senses. There are five main senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Activities that encourage the use of the senses, such as water play, squishing clay, pouring sand, finger painting, and playing with different textured clay can be highly inclusive for children with sensory disabilities.
• Adaptive games : There are modified versions of popular games, such as Twister, with different colors and textures, that are accessible to everyone. On the other hand, unlike board games or card games that often require players to talk to each other throughout the game, physical games such as chasing can work well for children with special needs because there isn’t a lot of social interaction. However, the idea of being the chaser can be a bit abstract and children need to understand the goal and rules. Have the chosen person wear a special hat or some other visual marker so that everyone is clear about who is “the chaser” at any given time since this can change often and very quickly. It’s one way to adapt the game so that everyone can participate.
• Assistive technology : Apps and games on tablets that allow for customization based on each player's abilities offer ample opportunities for inclusion. Video games or interactive games through apps can be very engaging for children with different abilities.

It would be important to encourage adults to participate in school days with these games, so that they also practice games at home as a family, to be able to reflect together on the benefits of playing, and promote deep conclusions about how important it is to include and not stigmatize.

Benefits of inclusive games for children

Playing is pleasurable, it is enjoyed without expecting anything in return, and children learn while playing. Playing generates positive situations, it involves action, participation, effort, concentration, and they learn values. By playing, children discover themselves and express their personality. These are some of the benefits of inclusive games:

1.   Social development : inclusive games promote friendship and collaboration, essential for children's emotional development.

2.  Fostering empathy : By interacting with others, children learn to understand and respect differences.

3.    Physical development : Many physical activities promote motor skills and coordination.

4.    Self-confidence : Active participation in inclusive play helps children feel valuable and capable.

5.  Conflict Resolution : They learn to manage disagreements and find creative solutions.

Tips for playing inclusive games with children at home

1. Adapt the rules : Modify the rules of traditional games to make them more accessible to everyone.
2. Encourage creativity : Invite children to create their own games, which will allow them to develop leadership and teamwork skills.
3. Rotate activities : change the dynamics of the games to keep all children interested and involved.
4. Safe environment : Make sure the space is safe and accessible for all participants.
5. Involve everyone : Encourage children to participate in planning the games to increase their interest.
6. Provide adaptive resources : Use tools and materials that facilitate participation of all children.
7. Evaluate the experience : after each activity, ask the children what they thought and how you could improve the experience

Conclusion

Inclusive games represent a valuable methodology to foster integration and social development in children and adolescents. Through diversity in play activities, a framework is promoted in which all children can enjoy and learn together. By adopting and implementing these games at home, educators and therapists can make a significant difference in children's lives, cultivating an environment of respect, acceptance and fun.

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to play, learn and grow in an inclusive environment.