How to Encourage Collaboration in Preschool Play

Proper socializing is one of the most important aspects of preschool learning. Many of the lessons learned on the playground are implicit, such as how to make friends through reciprocity or the limits of physical play that is exciting but not dangerous. The benefits of collaboration is one of those critical implicit teachings that can be learned through play and experimentation in the classroom. 

Our Powers Combined

Teaching your child about collaboration and team effort is a great way to help facilitate healthy development. Playing games and completing tasks that require the participation of everyone shows your little one that they need to sometimes rely on others. When many come together to accomplish a single goal, the challenge can be tackled more quickly as well as with greater efficiency. Through this style of play, you are helping nurture developing social skills that will continue to grow over the course of their young lives. Do not miss out on the opportunity for your child to be the superstar of the team by knowing that there truly is no “I” in “TEAM”.

Your Turn

The tried and true adage of sharing is caring should be taught at an early age. Show your little one that letting others have a turn can be rewarding to them. It is often difficult to get a small child to not be somewhat selfish when it comes to their things and when they want to play with them. However, by reinforcing these good behaviors you are showing your little one that the happiness of others also matters. Through their own selfless sacrifice they can provide a little joy to another and that is a feeling that should be sought after. Developing this habit early will pay itself forward in the long run as they grow into their best little self.

I Need You, You Need Me

A variation of the team style of collaboration, having your little one learn to be a cog in the machine can also be handy. Rather than everyone working together on a single goal, develop play activities in which person has a role to play. An assembly line style of play can show your little one that many times you need to work together for a common goal. Teaching them that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts can help with collaborative play. Many times in life, you will need to wait for someone else to complete a task before you can execute your own.