Teamwork is a popular topic in children’s books for a reason. We all want our children to be the best. Yet, sometimes success is more likely (and more fun!) when we are surrounded by friends. And sometimes, teaming up with someone else can be the start of a beautiful friendship. On the flip side, there’s also scientific proof that friends perform better with group tasks than strangers! Here are four ways in which working together can help foster friendships:
Shared experiences promote friendship.
Most friendships are based on shared emotional experiences. From playgroups through college and beyond, we gravitate towards those who relate to challenges in ways that complement our own reactions. Problem solving with others allows us to overcome adversity and share a feeling of accomplishment, or even defeat! Either emotion gives kids a common ground upon which to base a friendship.
Good teammates make sacrifices for one another; so do friends.
Teamwork is a common theme in many picture books. In one of our new favorite picture books, Snail Crossing, a kindhearted snail is on a mission, until he stops to help a crew of ants in a rainstorm and loses his way. It looks like he is truly lost — until his new friends come up with an ingenious idea to help him. It’s a cheerful and charming tale of slow but steady Snail, whose determination and kindness bring him the best reward of all: friendship. When we risk our own chance at success for someone else, it often leads to loyalty and the reward of a solid friendship.
Working together promotes empathy.
Just like reading children’s books improves emotional intelligence and increases empathy, so does working together. When children team up, they are more likely to think about others and work towards mutual success. Of course, there is always the potential for squabbles, but when children are encouraged to be part of a team, they get to know one another and learn how to problem solve together. The end result is that they are able to more easily imagine themselves in one another’s shoes. This empathy can help build a foundation of friendship.
Teamwork requires communication and so does friendship.
To solve most problems, kids need to learn to work well and communicate with other people. When they team up with another child in any sort of creative play situation, there’s a good chance that they’ll establish a social connection. From Frog and Toad looking for a lost button to Amelia Bedelia stealing home plate, it’s easy to see that a little bit of communication has the potential to go a long way!
How do you encourage your child to be a team player? Tell us below; we’d love to know! After all, we all get by with a little help from our friends.
Featured Book
Snail Crossing by Corey R. Tabor
In a book that is as cheerful and charming as Snail himself, Corey Tabor tells a winning tale of slow but steady Snail, whose determination and kindness bring him the best reward of all: friendship.
When Snail spies a plump, crisp cabbage across the road, nothing will stop him—not a speeding car or even a hungry crow.
But then kindhearted Snail stops to help a crew of antsy ants in a rainstorm, and he loses his way. It looks like he will never get his treat—until Snail’s new friends come up with an ingenious idea. . . .
Printable activities are available to make your storytime even better!
