Practicing social skills and teamwork through group activities

Practicing social skills and teamwork through group activities

In preschool, children are at a crucial stage of their social and emotional development. One of the key skills they need to develop during these early years is the ability to work well in a group. Group activities can be an effective way for preschoolers to learn valuable social skills and teamwork. In this article, we will explore some of the ways in which preschoolers can practice social skills and teamwork through group activities.

Benefits of group activities Group activities can provide a range of benefits for preschoolers. Firstly, they can help children to build relationships with their peers and develop a sense of belonging. Group activities can enhance communication skills, as children learn to express themselves and listen to others. Group activities can promote problem-solving skills, as children learn to work together to overcome challenges.

Building a sense of Community

Preschool is such an exciting time for young children but it also might be a child's first experience making friends or in an environment with no familiar faces. Creating an environment that feels safe and inclusive for all children is super important. And, promoting teamwork and community building is one way to do so! With activities that involve cooperation, communication, and collaboration we can help create a fun and safe space that feels welcoming for all!

Playing Together

Establishing a preschool family mindset helps preschoolers to not only see their classroom as a safe space, but it reminds them that in their space they can play together, learn together, grow together, and most importantly have fun together.

Promoting activities where preschoolers can play together provides them with an opportunity for teamwork and collaboration in the classroom. These important skills lay the foundation for life-long social-emotional skills.

Early Childhood Educator's can facilitate group play experiences by setting up opportunities for collaborative games, pretend play experiences, and group music and movement activities. Below, we have highlighted some of our favorite types of these group play experiences.

Dramatic Play

Dramatic play centers are a great place for preschoolers to naturally work together. During their pretend play experience preschoolers are using communication, leadership, idea-exchange, and cooperation. When you give your preschoolers a shared task to work on together, it can ignite collaboration. For instance, you may suggest they transform your dramatic play center into a pizza parlor. Instead of setting it up for them,  include your preschoolers in the preparation and planning. They can help gather the materials, set up the space, and work together to make signs for the pizza shop. They can also brainstorm, and collaborate about other props and ideas to add to the space. Once they are in engaged in a dramatic play preschoolers can take on different roles while interacting with their peers.

Making Music Together

Strike up the band! Give each student an instrument (or make your own), allow your students to create their own songs, or even a concert. Encourage them to play individually and together!

Group Games

Playing a Game is a fantastic way to give young children an opportunity to practice their new teamwork skills. Games can be played with partners, or small groups and they can be played both indoors and out.

Freeze Dance

Dancing together is a fun way to get out some energy, relax, and build teamwork skills. A classic game of Freeze Dance allows preschoolers to have dance and have fun together, but also gives preschoolers to enforce rules, cooperate, and look out for one another.

Follow the Leader

Follow the Leader is a classic game that young children love. Whoever is the leader chooses actions, dance moves, or even words for their classmates to follow. Not only is this game super fun it also encourages listening, following directions, taking turns, and respecting peers.

Scavenger Hunt

Invite preschoolers to join in on a scavenger hunt. Another great opportunity to work together to find all the items. It can be as simple as a color hunt, or a themed hunt. Or, maybe you are a teacher who tends to lose things and needs a bit of help! We’ve all been there, and nothing says teamwork like preschoolers who want to help out their teacher. ​

Parachute Play

The parachute is a great activity to use during recess, indoor, or outdoor play. It’s a great representation that teamwork truly does make the dreamwork. The parachute cannot raise higher and higher without everyone working together. This is an activity that is easy to bring out and it’s definitely a favorite. ​

Activities and games allow preschoolers to play and be themselves. This is when preschoolers understand the value of communication, working together, and problem-solving. These activities are great to sprinkle in throughout your day and they play an important role in building a classroom community. We are laying the building blocks for students to use these skills for years to come!

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Making things Together

Working together to make things is another way to promote teamwork in your  program. It helps young children to develop problem-solving skills, cooperation, communication skills, leadership skills, and creative thinking. Introducing preschoolers to teamwork and collaboration not only plays an important role in their educational journey but it also helps them as they grow into adults. Collaborative art, cooking projects, and building projects allow preschoolers to focus on cooperation rather than competition. Regardless of age, this helps preschoolers to understand how valuable not only their role but their peers' roles can be in whole group work and activities. Below we have highlighted some simple ways to encourage collaboration and teamwork through making things together.

Collaborative Art Projects 

Preschoolers love creating individual artwork because it's an opportunity to express their creativity. But, have you ever overheard a student having a conversation with their parent on the way out the door about their experience creating a "Group Art Piece"? If so, you most likely overheard the child telling their parent all about the colors they used but also what the other students contributed to the piece.

Collaborative art requires preschoolers to work together by contributing their own ideas, but also making room for other's to add their contributions as well.These types of projects also give young children the chance to brainstorm, and share ideas with their peers.

Art projects can be as simple as a large piece of butcher paper and markers or beautiful hand-print rainbow. By working together to create something together preschoolers experience how how when combined, individual contributions can make a single masterpiece-worth talking about!

Cooking Together

Cooking with preschoolers is fun, and a great opportunity to remind preschoolers the importance of following directions (all while teaching important life skills).

Cooking is also great for whole-group instruction because you can assign preschoolers different  individual tasks, but they are able to see how working together can to create a product they can all enjoy.

Try making a friendship fruit salad where preschoolers can individually contribute a chosen piece of fruit. They can each take turns washing, cutting, and mixing their fruit to make one delicious salad. This is also a great time to discuss how we even though we are all different- together you are classroom family!

Building Projects 

STEM activities are a great place to introduce teamwork. These activities allow preschoolers to share their ideas and problem-solve while building. For instance, this Jack and Beanstalk Challenge requires preschoolers to develop and execute a plan to help Jack reach the castle. Preschoolers can work together to brainstorm and problem-solve the best solution. These are great activities to do as a whole-group (or as partners) because they helps preschoolers to be respectful of other's ideas by listening and exchanging ideas. 

Classroom Stories 

Preschoolers always have a fun story to tell-they are so creative! Invite your preschoolers to write a story together to keep in your classroom library.

Writing a classroom story is a great way to help preschoolers work together to create ideas, characters, and a story-line. They will work together to take on different tasks and share ideas with one another. It will quickly become the most requested book at story time.

Tips for facilitating group activities

To ensure that group activities are successful, it's important to have a plan in place. This might involve setting clear goals, establishing rules and expectations, and assigning roles and responsibilities to each child. It's also important to create a positive and supportive environment, in which children feel comfortable expressing themselves and working together.

Activities that promote teamwork and collaboration naturally bring out the best in kids because the activities are enjoyable, but also allow students to contribute to a bigger picture.

Working together is a great way to exchange ideas and for preschoolers to learn from one another, These collaborative activities provide preschoolers with opportunities to encourage and support each other. It definitely melts a teacher’s heart when you see preschoolers encouraging and lifting each other up. Encouraging teamwork, and community building is an important aspect of fostering a safe place for preschoolers. It can be easily implemented while having fun, creating memories, and building important social skills. A Community building activity can be almost any type of activity that you choose, as long as you go at it together!

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