Supporting Teamwork: Preschool Learners

In the preschool years, there are a variety of activities with which you can engage to help support a child develop teamwork skills. Read on to learn more about how you can incorporate teamwork-related activities with your learners.

Thinking About Teamwork (‘I’)

Picture Books

The early years provide great opportunities for children to start thinking about teamwork, as well as practice their conversation skills. For example, read and talk with your learners about picture books by asking them questions and inviting any questions they might have. Use your reading time to encourage active listening, trust building, and how we can communicate in different, but equal, ways. Use these learning opportunities to springboard conversations about neurodiversity, cultural and linguistic diversity, and nonverbal communication. Check out the slides below to learn more about some of our favourite picture books that feature neurodiverse children and nonverbal communication.

Modeling

Consider how you can be a model for preschoolers in a way that teaches them to be effective communicators and listeners. This will require you to model turn-taking in your conversations with others. You might need to come up with different strategies for your learners to employ as they learn to wait for their turn (e.g., “waiting hands”). Visual cues can also serve as reminders during turn-taking such as tapping your chest and saying “my turn.” If it feels supportive, incorporate cue cards or posters to act as reminders (see the Additional Tools section for more ideas). Remember to allow children to communicate or express themselves in ways that feel most comfortable and supportive for them.

Feeling Teamwork (‘We’)

Dramatic Play

Dramatic play offers opportunities for children to naturally learn to work together during team-building activities. For example, if you have dramatic play centres in your learning environment, invite children to plan, prepare, and design a thematic play centre (e.g., farmer’s market, apple orchard, restaurant, airport, etc.) by working together to gather the materials and set up the space.

Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are a really fun and engaging way for children to begin learning teamwork skills, as well as increasing their abilities to notice and observe on their own. Invite students to begin by putting on their “eagle eyes” and look for different colours, shapes, letters, or items found in the natural world (e.g., pinecone, rocks, leaves, insects). Encourage cooperation and communication as they work together to find items.

Parachute Play

Using a parachute during recess, gym, or outdoor play is a great way for children to learn how to work together toward a common goal. Set up the parachute in a space large enough for your kiddos to work together and play fun parachute games. Click through the slides below for some fun ideas to incorporate parachute games.

Partner a parachute with storytelling where you or another adult/educator makes up a story and the children bring the story to life using the parachute to make sound effects. Or use a favourite song where the children match the parachute with actions. Some of our favourite songs include:

• Zoom Zoom Zoom
• If You’re Happy and You Know It
• Roly Poly
• Row Row Row Your Boat
• Wheels On The Bus

Practicing Teamwork (‘Us’)

Collaborative Learning

Encourage children to work together in a variety of ways to promote teamwork throughout the day. Collaborative building or art projects invite preschoolers to work together by contributing their own ideas, but also being open to the ideas of others. Art projects can be as simple as a large sheet of easel paper and some markers or a classroom mural of everyone’s handprint.

You might also consider creating a large mural with the children that represents their classroom community. Provide a large sheet of paper and art supplies, and ask each child to contribute by drawing or painting something that represents them or their interests. This activity promotes a sense of belonging and unity within the classroom. Pair any of these activities with an art-based picture book such as Mix It Up or Let’s Play by Hervé Tullet.

Community Circle Time

Set aside dedicated circle time discussions where children can share their experiences and stories related to their community. They can talk about places they have visited, people they have met, or special events they have attended. This activity fosters a sense of community and encourages active listening, turn-taking, and respect for each other’s perspectives and lived experiences.