Cooperation and sharing are essential social skills that help children build relationships and function successfully in groups. These skills develop gradually and require practice, patience, and adult support. Through cooperative activities, toddlers learn that working together can be fun and rewarding.
These activities provide opportunities for children to practice sharing, taking turns, and working toward common goals. Strong cooperation skills predict better peer relationships, academic success, and positive social adjustment throughout life.
Games that require taking turns help children learn to wait and share opportunities.
Play simple turn-taking games: rolling a ball back and forth, taking turns building with blocks, or passing a toy. Use language: "Your turn, my turn." Start with short waits and gradually increase. This builds patience and cooperation.
Working together to build something teaches cooperation and shared goals.
Build together: "Let's build a tower together!" or "We can make a house if we work together." Share materials and ideas. Celebrate the shared accomplishment. This teaches that cooperation leads to success.
Create opportunities to practice sharing in positive, supported ways.
Share snacks: "Let's share these crackers." Share toys during play. Model sharing: "I'll share my toy with you." Praise sharing behavior. Make sharing a positive experience, not a forced one.
Activities that require multiple people working together build cooperation skills.
Work together on tasks: cleaning up toys, setting the table, or creating art together. Play group games that require cooperation. Discuss how working together makes tasks easier and more fun.
Begin to play alongside others (parallel play). May share objects briefly with encouragement. Start to understand turn-taking with support.
Begin to share and take turns with guidance. Engage in simple cooperative activities. Understand that sharing is expected, though it may be challenging.
Share and take turns more independently. Engage in cooperative play. Work together toward common goals. These skills support positive peer relationships.