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10 EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO ENCOURAGING TEAMWORK AND COOPERATIVE PLAY IN KIDS AT HOME AND SCHOOL

It is acknowledged that children experience diverse developmental milestones as they grow. It is crucial that a child develops holistically; physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. This can be accomplished through the implementation of specific measures such as the inclusion of play, which plays a vital role in both their physiological and psychological development.

Parents should prioritize a child’s social milestones as part of their overall development. This underscores the fact that play serves a crucial role in a child’s development. As a child progress,  they should navigate through the six stages of play, each contributing to the development of specific skills. The final stage, cooperative play, entails active collaboration between children,  whether on the playground or during school projects. 

In this blog, we will discuss all aspects of cooperative play, including what it is, its advantages, and ways you can support a child during this phase.

  • What Does Cooperative Play Mean in Child Development?
  • How to Prepare Your Child for Cooperative Play.
  • Reasons why Teamwork and Cooperative Play are Essential in Child Development.
  • Ways to Engage a Child in Cooperative Play at Home and School. 

Cooperative play in child development is the conclusive stage of play, according to Mildred Parten, and it refers to a stage of social interaction where children actively engage in shared activities working together towards a common goal. It is a great technique to teach children about new things and boost their brains with activities.

There are step-by-step stages of play that contribute to the development of social skills.

  1. UNOCCUPIED PLAY

 This is the initial stage of play where your child engages in sensory experiences. Some examples are handling random objects, throwing toys, gripping onto toys, etc.

  1. SOLITARY PLAY

Following unoccupied play is solitary play also known as self-play, which involves the child playing independently. It fosters self-sufficiency and entertainment. Examples include a child playing with toys alone or humming words to themselves.

  1. ONLOOKER PLAY

 This type of play allows your child to learn simply by watching others play. For example, watching live football, watching people play board games, etc.

  1. PARALLEL PLAY

In this stage of play, the child is preparing to collaborate with others during a play but fails to interact. Subconsciously, the child starts to practice cooperative play in simple terms.

  1. ASSOCIATIVE PLAY

 The child in this phase is gradually aware of the importance of teamwork and shows interest in playing with others but is not organized enough to work towards a common goal.

  • Encourage Socialization: Provide opportunities for your child to interact with peers in various settings to build social skills.
  • Teach Communication Skills: Help your child express thoughts and ideas, listen actively, and understand the perspectives of others.
  • Promote Sharing: Reinforce the importance of sharing toys, space, and attention, fostering a sense of cooperation.
  • Model Teamwork: Demonstrate collaborative behavior at home, highlighting the value of working together to achieve common objectives.
  1. It fosters the development of cognitive and social skills, promoting both cognitive growth and physical development.
  2. It provides an avenue for fostering emotional intelligence.
  1. It builds confidence.
  1. It enhances trust and conflict resolution.
  1. It helps develop self-regulation.

It is accurate to assert that children learn and explore their surroundings more effectively through play, making it vital for understanding, cooperation, and instruction. In essence, cooperation plays a pivotal role in fostering confidence, a sense of discovery, social interaction, and overall development. Here are a few ways to engage a child in cooperative play at home:

1. Educate them on turn-taking skills.

Teaching children about turn-taking fosters self-awareness and it becomes a part of them as they grow older. Engaging them in board games like Trouble or Sorry encourages group play and the concept of taking turns. Similarly, games that involve block building as a group can teach children valuable teamwork skills through simple, enjoyable means, setting a foundation for these principles to become an integral part of their lives.

turn taking

2. Show support during play dates.

One of the ways to encourage cooperative play among kids is by cheering them on and being actively involved. This may require thoughtful planning of their play dates, being present, and inquiring how you can make their experience better by getting tips from an expert in the field.

support during play date

3. Engage them in simple tasks.

Allowing your kids to help out with simple household chores such as arranging the pillows on the sofa, folding laundry, cleaning their room, and setting the dining table is a way of instilling qualities like kindness, teamwork, and consideration for others. This also contributes to the development of their social skills.

learning how to simple tasks

4. Create exploratory activities

Encourage them to familiarize themselves with different activities to foster their developmental and cognitive skills. Consider a scavenger hunt, treasure hunt or simply paking up a dance with music using household utensils as instruments. 

exploration

5. Build a fort

Building a fort indoors or outdoors provides a fun opportunity to bond. It helps to nurture cooperation skills and develop the ability to share ideas through communication. 

build a fort
  1. Play a board game

Playing board games is a way to learn about rules and what they mean during social interactions. While it may pose a challenge initially, practice makes perfect. For starters when a child mistakenly breaks a rule, gently remind them of the rules and why they matter. 

children bonding
  1. Finish a puzzle

Completing a puzzle together creates a safe space for a child to try and fail, testing out pieces till they fit and deal with situations that have the potential to be frustrating. This is an opportunity for them to learn the power of teamwork and practice their problem-solving skills.

puzzle games

As we have already established the importance of cooperative play, here are a few ways schools, teachers, and caregivers can encourage a child to engage in cooperative play.

  1. Model Compassion

  Children develop habits primarily through regular observation and interaction. By consistently modeling kindness and empathy in their presence, they are likely to adopt these positive habits. 

cooperation
  1. Encourage free play

Providing opportunities for unstructured play is a great way to encourage cooperative play and make it enjoyable. In this setting, children can choose any game of their choice, inviting others to join, and encouraging collaboration to reach a common goal.

kids
  1. Engage in dramatic play.

Fostering your child’s self-esteem and empathy can be achieved through role-play. Introduce real-life scenarios like ‘chef’,’ ‘doctor,’ or ‘teacher’ to enhance their communication skills and creativity, allowing them to express emotions and personalities through imaginative play.

dramatic play with kids

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/what-is-cooperative-play

https://mybrightwheel.coym/blog/cooperative-play

https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/cooperative-play#timing

https://www.softsurfaces.co.uk/cooperative-play-ideas-for-kids/

https://www.beginlearning.com/parent-resources/cooperative-play/

Read more blog posts from us,

https://www.joyfulheartschildcare.com/2024/01/11/daily-routine-for-kids/: 10 EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO ENCOURAGING TEAMWORK AND COOPERATIVE PLAY IN KIDS AT HOME AND SCHOOL

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