Our entire existence as humans is built upon our ability to communicate and collaborate. For hundreds of thousands of years, human beings have been driven by this need for purpose and belonging. It has brought us to our greatest heights by confiding in the most familiar of spaces, each other. But before growing up and conquering the world, it all starts at the beginning.
Instilling the importance of teamwork in a child will shape their cognitive, social, and emotional skills which will guide them throughout their life. It all starts with communication.
Hear and be Heard
Communication is an inextricable part of the human experience and a vital component of teamwork. To hear and be heard are powerful tenants of wellbeing and effective communication. Children who feel they can express themselves tend to find self-confidence in the process. Learning how to effectively reach an audience, be it their schoolmates, friends, or teammates, will shape their skills in communicating with different types of people with different kinds of backgrounds throughout their whole life. So on top of understanding the value of self-expression, teamwork pushes children to see the value in active listening. Working in a team expands their worldview thereby enhancing their problem-solving skills because children exposed to diverse activities and ideas develop their creativity and reasoning, while also having the opportunity to manage conflicts on their own.
Empathize
In a self-centered world focused on individual achievement and recognition, collaboration shines through as the defining factor in a team’s success. Teamwork harbors empathy, teaching children to connect with others on a deeper level leading to them being helpful, involved, and invested in others. Through this they are able to forge a strong network of mutual support and respect, learning to work effectively together towards a common goal. Psychology professor at the University of Portland, Andrew M. Guest, acknowledges the duality of the benefits of teamwork, stating that it satiates efficient productivity as well as loyal affiliations, both contributing to positive youth development. When kids understand the encouraging aspects of teamwork, they’re more likely to stick with it their whole lives, setting them up for success in their careers and personal relationships.
Start Early
There is a multitude of initiatives for child development, including those by large tech firms,. Children today have an abundance of resources to hone these vital skills. Apple has a hands-on program for kids to explore activities like movie-making, coding, and robotics. Magikid, a robotics lab for kids, has STEAM programs focusing on teamwork, programming, and tech. Additionally, if kids are too booked up during the school year for boot camps, encouraging weekend activities with family and friends is a good idea too.
Escape rooms are a fun way to stimulate kids, mixing leisure and teamwork into one. With a variety of puzzles and activities, kids are challenged to complete a mission within a set time limit. Reason escape rooms in San Francisco integrate futuristic technology that promotes teamwork using intuitive interactions between its players and technology, allowing kids to explore a fun-filled immersive environment with their team.