What practice might best aid the social development of a student with special needs?

Encouraging participation in group games with peers is an effective strategy for promoting the social development of a student with special needs. Engaging in group activities allows the student to interact with their peers, practice social skills like communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution, and build relationships. Through these interactions, the student can learn important social cues, and develop empathy and teamwork skills, all of which are crucial for their overall social development.

Group games also provide a structured setting in which students can learn to share, take turns, and support one another, fostering a sense of belonging and community. Additionally, fun and interactive environments can reduce anxiety and help students feel more comfortable engaging with their peers, ultimately leading to enhanced social competence and confidence.

In contrast, isolating the student during recess, focusing strictly on academic learning, or providing more individual work time would limit opportunities for social interaction. These alternatives do not encourage socialization and may hinder a student's ability to develop essential interpersonal skills.