Games have been part of human cultures since their invention. People have enjoyed games for the thrill and challenge they provide.
In recent years, there has been an explosion of cooperative board games. Now available on Amazon with extensive written reviews and videos. The focus of this blog is on how to play games cooperatively with others.
Traditional games typically revolve around competition, creating winners and losers. Fostering high emotions like resentment and ego can last a lifetime of unresolved issues, unless individuals develop an awareness of those emotions and thoughts.
Adults play a significant role in shaping children’s attitudes towards playing games. Therefore, adults need to emphasize that it’s not solely about winning or losing, but more about how they take part in the game.
When playing traditional games with children, it’s beneficial to shift the focus from competition to collaboration by emphasizing turns, teamwork, and setting common goals. Avoid declaring winners or losers at the end of the game. Instead, foster a sense of unity and shared achievement.
Let’s Investigate Cooperative Ways to Play.
Cooperative games have no winners or looser. They offer a different approach, focusing on teamwork, emotional growth, creative problem-solving, and community-building in a non-stressful play environment.
Engaging in a variety of games such as board games, memory games, puzzles, and indoor and outdoor games not only provides children with entertaining activities but also aids in the development of cognitive skills and social interaction.
In the child’s early learning stages, it is important to play with children honestly and not let them win every time. Instead, they can learn how to turn a loss and mistakes into opportunities to change for the better.
The cooperative games cater to children of various ages and interests, offering a diverse range of options for their entertainment and growth.
Ultimately, the goal is to encourage cooperative play, where adults guide children through activities that promote fair play towards another person.
How to play traditional games cooperatively.
- Promote the concept of My Turn and Your Turn. Children understand this quickly and easily incorporate it into their play.
- At the end of the game, there’s no need to declare a winner or a loser. With a happy smile, say “The game is over!”
- Children can use competition to race against time. This way, they compete against oneself or as a team by setting goals and achieving them. Working together as a team by setting a common goal with a timer to finish the game creates team spirit. Use a stopwatch or a simple 5-minute sand hourglass timer for preschool children.
Toddlers (18 months – two years old) love to explore and work independently. Provide a safe space they can claim as their own.
Matching a few picture cards with physical objects featured on the card is a perfect activity/game. A simple tray or basket to hold them is perfect.
Practical life such as self-care, cleaning, and helping includes hand washing, pouring, and scooping. These can be a game by setting a goal to accomplish and to refine their skill.
Primary/Preschool (3 years – 6 years) children enjoy their independence and love having a friend or two to work with or to play with. 
All board games include dice and pieces to move around the board. Memory Games, Card Games, Matching Games, Board Games, Puzzles are just a few to explore.
Select games that meet your child’s interests while also offering some level of challenge.
If board games are not appealing to you, consider trying memory games with images of animals, plants, or other items or various items that your child enjoys. There’s no need to use all the cards in the box all at once. Start with just a few pairs (3 or 4) and increase the difficulty level as your child gets more comfortable.
Video games are a different ball game. They have their advantages, but young children need objects to touch and feel to develop social skills for their life journey.
However, what I will suggest is to pick the games you and your children will enjoy the most. The ones that challenge them and to get some useful knowledge from them.
Elementary Years to Adulthood
As children get older and more sophisticated, technology will play a huge part in their life. But we all need to remember that being human is the best experience here on earth for personal growth and to flourish into the person we came here to be.
So let’s be conscious of how the use of technology and how it affects our daily life and everyone around us.