(K12) - Kicking a red rubber ball across the blacktop. Waving to a friend in a busy hallway. Trading snacks over a lunch table. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think.

It’s in these everyday interactions that children learn some of life’s most important skills like sharing, resolving conflict, showing empathy, and managing their emotions. These skills help shape emotional growth and set kids up for long-term success. In essence, socialization isn’t just “nice-to-have" in childhood; it’s a developmental necessity.

But today, many children aren’t getting the consistent, meaningful social interaction they need. Even before the pandemic, research showed that kids were spending less time together than previous generations.

There are a numbe

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