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School play can reject introverts

awkwardturtle's picture

Children at school are often expected to play with others, and it is often assumed that children playing alone want to play with others. The notion that children are perfectly content playing alone sometimes go under the radar, despite the fact that there are many introverted children. Children playing alone often get asked by well meaning children and adults why they aren't playing with others, and this often sends a message to young introverts that there is something wrong with them. This is one way play can be problematic, when the message that play must be done with others is sent to children at a young age.