The importance of teamwork for children

Teamwork requires people to work cooperatively with others towards a shared purpose. For a team to work together effectively, it takes all members of the team to respect each other’s abilities and opinions. Teamwork is a highly social activity and involves much interaction and exchanging of ideas and actions. 

Being part of a team enables your child to move from more intrapersonal (individual) ways of thinking to interpersonal (communicating with others). It will help a child in all areas of their learning, and help them to feel part of a community, too. Working as part of a team will strengthen your child’s social and emotional skills, help develop their communication skills, and can improve confidence.

In school your child will experience teamwork in many different forms. Children may be asked to work in pairs, small groups, or larger groups on a variety of different things. They may be asked to work in teams for physical activities such as ball games or running games or more formal activities such as projects. Children also often form their own team activities during their play time.

While your child will experience plenty of team-based activities at school, it is important to continue the ethos of good teamwork at home. It can feel great to be part of a team, but if a child is excluded from a team it can be an upsetting experience. Make sure your child understands this and does not exclude others.

Teamwork can often inspire competitiveness with other teams – especially in physical activities. Encourage your child to be a good sportsman and a team-player.
Get children to work together on a project at home – it could be anything from a collective art project to performing a play. Encourage every child to decide on a role in the team.