Although it’s true to say that cooperative learning is a highly regarded teaching methodology, in reality, it simply means that students work together to complete a task or a project. We would probably all agree that teamwork is pretty much the staple ingredient of any classroom.
In the classroom, the basic premise is straightforward – the stronger children give the others a helping hand, and as a result, they all succeed. All of the children learn together, regardless of the differences in their abilities. In educational terms, this is known as scaffolding, in which peer support is a valuable classroom tool.
Teamwork and Board Games
Outside the classroom, teamwork is equally as important, especially when it comes to teaching children how to play together. Board games tend to bring out the competitive edge in everyone, and this can invoke a very negative atmosphere. Team games in which one group is pitted against another often bring out the worst in kids, and can quickly descend into dissatisfaction for everyone involved.
The concept of winning and losing is, of course, something that everyone has to come to terms with, but it can be an overwhelming experience for children, especially when the others in the group are loudly celebrating their success. To counteract this issue, many parents and educators are opting for cooperative board games instead of the more competitive versions.
The Benefits of Cooperative Board Games
Cooperative board games are designed so that everyone who is playing wins and loses together. The focus of the games is on collaboration, and all the participants must work together to complete the task. This approach fosters communication and cooperation, bringing a general feel-good factor to the activity.
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