“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” - Phil Jackson
We all know the power of good teamwork in our professional careers. The foundation can be laid during our academic career where youngsters can be encouraged to do more group activities to learn and succeed as a team.
By working together and supporting each other, kids can learn to achieve their goals. Encouraging kids to work together as a team is an important life lesson. By collaborating and staying united, they can achieve more because they can use the best of everyone to move towards the result.
Group activities help to:
- Use one’s strengths to the optimum
- Improve on one’s weaknesses through learning from others
- Develop a sense of trust and camaraderie
- Boost confidence and self-belief
- Foster a sense of responsibility
- Develop empathy and compassion
- Improve social skills
- Work on one’s emotional intelligence
- Enhance problem-solving and analytical skills
Kids’ group activities educate our little ones on how to handle problems independently at an early age, which helps them gain confidence with each accomplishment. This way they also get better equipped to handle different situations and hone their social interactions when exposed to diverse situations.
How can educators use group activities to help students with learning challenges?
Readalong is a very simple but extremely effective reading initiative that is suitable for all ages. A good mix of students can participate in small groups. Each student is given a specific audio file to listen to. Then, each one of them is allowed to discuss what they heard and share their thoughts on it. Then, the audio files and swapped to be given to a different child in the group, and this way they can listen to each other’s interpretations and perceptions.
Role Plays can be a great way to engage and indulge students constructively with learning challenges. These can be aimed to strengthen their learning abilities as well as mental wellness. This will also expose them to gradually understand social interactions in a better way.
Group Games are mostly physical activities where students must be encouraged to display team spirit and dedication. These will not only help them build their physical abilities but also make them aware of team dynamics, gradually making them more self-sufficient at an individual and team level.
Playdates are more like fun get-togethers where kids can play and have fun. Parents must encourage kids of all abilities to be part of these events. It also allows many to get over the social stigma and blend with other parents. Such fun events are often the foundation of many learning opportunities for all kids, as well as a chance for parents to build healthy relationships with other parents.
Parents can also be a part of these activities at home. Read to your child often, engage yourself in some way in arts and crafts activity, or play family games. Encouraging students with learning difficulties to participate more in group activities in the classroom and at home can always help to make them learn effectively in a healthy and comfortable environment, not treating them as different from other kids.
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