Name games are a simple way to get preschoolers talking and introduced to each other. Examples of names games include the activity where the teacher says her name and points at a student who must then say his name. He then repeats his name, points at the teacher and says hers. The teacher repeats this with all the students several times until they can start pointing to each other instead of the teacher. This activity can also be performed by rolling a ball instead of pointing or by just calling out the next name when students get better at it. This helps the students remember their classmates' names and brings them out of their shells during the first days of preschool.
A game of Follow the Leader that includes navigation around obstacles or through a play area helps children learn to work together as a social group. By taking turns, allow all the children to be the leader so the game doesn't establish some sort of pecking order. Instead, use it to show that anyone can lead the group and that the fun continues when people take turns and follow when appropriate.
This classic children's game actually teaches children a number of social skills as they play. It makes the children comfortable talking and playing with each other, teaches how to take turns and encourages listening skills. In the game, the goose walks around the other children, who are sitting in a circle. He taps each one gently on the head while saying "duck." When he chooses to say "goose" instead, a game of tag ensues where the duck chases him around the circle back to the newly vacated spot. If the goose makes it back to take the vacated seat, the previous duck is now the goose. If the duck wins by tagging the goose, the goose takes a seat in the middle until all children are in the middle but one.
Make puppets with your preschoolers to encourage them to learn to communicate with each other through role playing as their puppets. Make puppets in any safe and simple way you want, such as with paper plates and Popsicle sticks, paper bags or the timeless sock puppet. Talk about important communication skills the children need to learn, such as asking someone to share or to politely stop doing something that is bothering them without resorting to conflict. Then, have them act out those scenarios with their puppets.