Teaching Cooperation

Teaching cooperation to children cultivates a valuable skill for children to possess. But it is difficult for many children. People naturally want to look out for themselves and make sure that they are taken care of first. But learning how to cooperate with others requires giving as well as taking and realizing that the good of the group is more important than the good of the one. Learning how to cooperate will help your child succeed in school, in relationships with friends, and in life over all. It is within a family that children can learn important cooperative skills like working together, sharing, and taking turns. Read on for some ideas on teaching cooperation to your children.

Be a model. Children imitate the actions of those around them. If you want your child to cooperate be a good example. Show him how you cooperate with others. If you encourage working in group situations or help a neighbor in need the deeds will be noted. Your child will be more likely to follow your example.

Plant a family garden. This task requires the cooperation of all family members to be successful. Every member can work together to plant, weed, and water the garden. Then all members get to enjoy the benefits of their labor.

Do a project. Work on a family project together. The authors of 365 Ways To Help Your Children Grow recommend creating a family nature collage. “First, get the family together and go on a walk to collect small objects like flowers, stones, seeds, etc. then when you return home take a large piece of poster board and design a scene by allowing everyone to contribute some of their found objects.”

Assign responsibilities. As an important lesson in teaching cooperation, help children understand that everyone’s help is needed in order for the family to be successful. Give your children responsibilities that they can accomplish. Point out what would happen if the responsibilities were not completed.

Give suggestions and reasons. Help your children understand why they should cooperate and give them suggestions to help them learn cooperation. Often children do not see a need so giving a suggestion helps them realize how they can cooperate. The other day at church I asked my son to hold the door open for me. When he asked why I explained because I was holding books in one hand and my youngest daughter in the other it would have been hard for me to do. Then I thanked him for helping me. Giving your child reasons why they should cooperate makes them more willing to do so.

Provide good models. Children are exposed too many different things in the media, books, and friends. Make an effort to choose things that reflect positive values like cooperation. Point out when people you see in real life or the media are cooperating. Talk about how their cooperation benefits them both.