Together We Shine: Teaching Cooperation in Elementary Schools

Most parents and teachers would agree that cooperation is a critical skill for life success that requires communication, empathy and respect. Even young children can begin to learn simple ways to cooperate. Learning to use cooperation in the classroom will eventually serve children well as adults.

Elementary schools provide countless opportunities for students to work together, including:

• Group Projects: Collaborating on assignments fosters teamwork and communication.
• Classroom Jobs: Assigning students different responsibilities encourages shared effort.
• Recess Games: Playing structured and unstructured games helps students practice turn-taking and fairness.
• Partner Work: Pairing students for reading, problem-solving, or science experiments enhances cooperative learning.
• School Events: Activities like assemblies, field day, and community service projects require teamwork and shared responsibility.

The Benefits of Cooperation in a School Setting

When students learn to work together, they develop essential life skills. The benefits of cooperation include:

• Improved Social Skills: Children learn how to communicate, listen, and resolve conflicts.
• Stronger Classroom Community: Cooperation fosters respect, kindness, and a sense of belonging.
• Enhanced Problem-Solving Abilities: Working with others helps students develop creative solutions.
• Increased Academic Success: Collaboration allows students to support and learn from one another.
• Preparation for the Future: Teamwork is an essential skill in school, careers, and personal relationships.

Here are  seven tips:

1.  Lead by example– This is the key strategy and probably the hardest one.  As the adult it is necessary to not only model cooperation but to teach cooperation.  This means taking advantage of teachable moments by pointing out the options and clearly indicating which ones will best serve everyone involved.  It also means demonstrating how you as an adult cooperate.  “Students, our class is going to cooperate with Ms. Wilson’s class to prepare for parent night at school.” Together we are going to decorate the hallways. Here is how you can help.”

2.  Use language that children understand-Make sure that when you ask a child to do something they understand what you want and expect.  “Help us get ready for parent night by cleaning out your desk” may mean different things to different children.  “Help us get ready for parent night by stacking your books neatly in your desk” will get better results.

3.  Play a game-Children often respond to requests when it is a game or a race.  “How quickly can you get ready for dismissal?  I’m going to time you!”  may be all it takes. Sometimes as adults we get so focused on getting a task done that we forget that we can improve the possibility of cooperation with very simple tactics that take very little effort.

4.  Allow choices– Children just like adults want to feel they have some control over their actions and giving choices is one way to do that.  “Today we need to clean up the centers.  Which center would you like to straighten?”

5.  Catch them being good-Let a child know that you notice when he cooperates and point out the advantages of teamwork.  “Thanks for playing so  well during recess.  I think both kickball teams were good sports!”

6.  Keep them guessing-– Sometimes children respond to the the challenge of being the one who knows the answer.  “Did I ask you to do something before you lined up for lunch?  I can’t remember…”  or ” I bet you don’t know what you need to do to get ready for our guest reader… do you?”

7.  Let them lead— Encourage children to not only take initiative but to help in the planning as well:  “Today we need to study for our spelling test on Friday. I bet you know the best way to practice.  What should we do first?  Who should do what?”