➡️ Study Card
➡️ Introduction
Cooperative play is when children play together under a common goal and mutually accepted rules. This type of play usually emerges around the age of 4 years old and can occur throughout the lifespan.
There are numerous benefits of cooperative play. For instance, language skills are exercised because cooperative play often involves a lot of communication.
Social skills are also improved because there is continuous give-and-take during play where children negotiate actions and learn to handle disputes.
Because they may not always get what they want and must engage in inhibitory control, children’s self-regulation abilities are enhanced.
Focus and attentional control are improved because children learn to stay on-task for the duration of the play session.
Cooperative Play Examples
1. Building a Block Tower Together
Children gather to build a tall tower using blocks. They work together, deciding which blocks to use and where to place them. They take turns, share ideas, and support each other to prevent the tower from falling. This activity helps children practice communication, negotiation, and teamwork skills as they achieve a common goal. They also learn about cause and effect, as they see how different blocks affect the stability of the tower.
2. Playing a Team Sport
In games like soccer or basketball, children form teams and play with a shared objective of scoring goals or points. They follow agreed-upon rules, strategize together, and depend on each other’s skills. This type of play teaches them about cooperation, fair play, and the importance of each team member’s role. It also helps them develop physical coordination and understand the value of collective effort in achieving success.
3. Putting on a Play or Puppet Show
Children collaborate to put on a play or puppet show, taking on different roles such as actors, directors, or stagehands. They work together to create a storyline, design costumes, and build props. This activity allows them to express their creativity while learning to listen to each other’s ideas and make collective decisions. It enhances their social skills, boosts confidence, and fosters a sense of accomplishment as they present their performance to an audience.
4. Playing a Board Game
Games like “Candy Land” or “Chutes and Ladders” involve players working together to follow rules and complete the game. Children take turns, practice patience, and learn to cope with winning and losing. These games encourage cooperation as players often help each other understand the rules and strategies. Board games also promote cognitive skills like counting, problem-solving, and strategic thinking, all within a cooperative and fun environment.
5. Cooking a Meal Together
Children and adults can work together in the kitchen to prepare a meal. They follow a recipe, divide tasks, and help each other measure ingredients, stir, and cook. This type of cooperative play teaches children about teamwork, following instructions, and the importance of contributing to a shared project. It also provides practical life skills, such as cooking and cleaning up, while reinforcing the joy of sharing a meal they created together.
6. Creating a Group Art Project
Children come together to create a large mural or collage. They plan the project, gather materials, and decide on a theme. Each child contributes by painting, drawing, or adding elements to the artwork. This cooperative play fosters creativity and collaboration as they share ideas and respect each other’s contributions. It also enhances their ability to work as a team to create something beautiful and meaningful together.
7. Organizing a Treasure Hunt
In a treasure hunt, children work together to find hidden objects based on clues. They collaborate to decipher the clues, plan their search strategy, and share the excitement of discovering the treasures. This activity promotes problem-solving skills, teamwork, and communication. It also encourages children to think critically and work efficiently as a group to achieve a common goal.
8. Building a Fort
Using blankets, pillows, and furniture, children build a fort. They plan the design, assign tasks, and work together to construct a sturdy structure. This cooperative play encourages imagination and engineering skills as they figure out how to make their fort stable and comfortable. It also involves negotiation and compromise, as they decide on the fort’s layout and how to use the available materials effectively.
9. Participating in a Science Experiment
Children conduct a science experiment together, such as making a volcano erupt with baking soda and vinegar. They follow the steps of the experiment, measure ingredients, and observe the results. This type of cooperative play promotes scientific thinking, curiosity, and teamwork. It also helps them learn to follow procedures, make predictions, and record their observations, all while having fun and learning together.
10. Playing Musical Chairs
In musical chairs, children walk around a circle of chairs while music plays, and when the music stops, they must find a chair to sit in. Although it can be competitive, it also requires cooperation to set up the game, agree on the rules, and ensure everyone has fun. This game helps children develop listening skills, quick reflexes, and the ability to handle competition gracefully. It also encourages social interaction and cooperation as they play and laugh together.
11. Gardening Together
Children work together to plant and take care of a garden. They decide which plants to grow, prepare the soil, plant seeds, water the plants, and remove weeds. This cooperative play helps them understand the importance of teamwork, responsibility, and patience as they watch their plants grow. Gardening also teaches them about nature, biology, and the environment, fostering a sense of accomplishment as they see the results of their joint efforts.
12. Playing a Cooperative Video Game
In cooperative video games, such as “Minecraft” or “Overcooked,” players work together to achieve a common goal. They collaborate, share resources, and strategize to complete levels or build structures. This type of play encourages communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, as players must rely on each other’s strengths and abilities to succeed. It also helps children develop digital literacy and an understanding of virtual environments.
13. Planning and Hosting a Party
Children work together to plan and host a party, deciding on a theme, making invitations, decorating, and preparing snacks. They assign tasks, make decisions, and ensure everything is ready for their guests. This cooperative play fosters organizational skills, creativity, and teamwork as they collaborate to create a fun and enjoyable event. It also teaches them about hospitality, cooperation, and the joy of celebrating with others.
14. Engaging in a Role-Playing Game
In role-playing games like “Dungeons & Dragons,” children create characters and embark on adventures together. They cooperate to solve problems, defeat enemies, and achieve their quests. This type of play encourages creativity, storytelling, and strategic thinking, as players must work together to navigate the game’s challenges. It also promotes social interaction, empathy, and an understanding of different perspectives as they immerse themselves in their roles.
15. Creating a Classroom Project
In a school setting, children might work together on a group project, such as making a poster about a historical event or conducting a science fair experiment. They divide tasks, share ideas, and collaborate to complete the project. This cooperative play enhances their research, communication, and presentation skills. It also fosters a sense of responsibility and pride in their collective work, teaching them the value of working together to achieve a common academic goal.
Conclusion
One of the first formal studies of play, including cooperative play, was conducted by Dr. Mildred Parten (1932) who identified 6 stages of play during the first five years.
Cooperative play is a form of play that represents a key milestone in a child’s social and emotional development. It usually emerges around the age of four in most children.
Although it emerges in the early years of childhood, it is actually something that people do throughout the lifespan. As adults, people engage in a version of cooperative play called “work teams”and marriage.
Employees have to collaborate with colleagues, come to agreements on a wide range of project issues, and negotiate conflicts to make a project successful. People that are especially skilled at cooperative play may advance to positions of leadership and become hugely successful. But, it all starts at the age of four.
➡️ References and Further Reading
References
Gillies, M. R., & Boyle, M. (2010). Teachers’ reflections on cooperative learning, issues of implementation. Teaching and Teacher Education, 26(4), 933–940.
Parten, M. (1932). Social participation among preschool children. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 27(3): 243–269. Retrieved from: https://www.mcidenver.edu/childdev/SocialParticipationamongpreschoolchildren.pdf
Vygotsky, L. S.(1967).Play and Its Role in the Mental Development of the Child.Soviet Psychology,5(3),6-18. https://doi.org/0.2753/RPO1061-040505036
Vygotsky, L. S. (2004). Imagination and creativity in childhood. Journal of Russian & East European Psychology, 42(1), 7-97.
Dr. Cornell has worked in education for more than 20 years. His work has involved designing teacher certification for Trinity College in London and in-service training for state governments in the United States. He has trained kindergarten teachers in 8 countries and helped businessmen and women open baby centers and kindergartens in 3 countries.
This article was peer-reviewed and edited by Chris Drew (PhD). The review process on Helpful Professor involves having a PhD level expert fact check, edit, and contribute to articles. Reviewers ensure all content reflects expert academic consensus and is backed up with reference to academic studies. Dr. Drew has published over 20 academic articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education and holds a PhD in Education from ACU.