Whether in the classroom or at home, getting children motivated to work together toward a common goal can sometimes feel like an impossible feat. Children with differing interests and personalities can clash, sapping any motivation and leaving them arguing or in unproductive relationships. As the adult in the situation, you should reinforce relationships between children by offering ice-breaking activities, exciting goals and conflict resolution assistance for the best results. The skills learned in working together will stay with the children as they make their way to adulthood.
Step 1
Get to know the children involved so that you can recognize their differing personalities and strengths and weaknesses. If you know which children have problems with sharing, which can be bossy and which have short tempers, you can recognize problems before they arise and diffuse them quickly when they do occur.
Step 2
Engage the children in team-building, ice-breaking activities that help to set the mood for the team project or goal. This gives the children a chance to get to know each other better and to get excited for the challenge. A silly game of lining up according to birthday without speaking can get them accustomed to working together in a variety of ways.
Step 3
Present conflict resolution as part of the process. Explaining to children what they should do if a problem or argument arises establishes protocol and makes them feel safe in their working environment, therefore motivating them to work harder together.
Step 4
Give positive reinforcement for a job well done. If this is the first time that some of the children have worked together, note how their strengths come together to complete a project. For instance, you might announce to the class that Sue and Max are a perfect pair because Sue has such a good attitude and Max pays close attention to detail. These positive affirmations will inspire the other children to work together despite their differences.
Step 5
Plan a common goal that the children are excited to work together on. Think of projects, rewards and plans that will get the children motivated and even competitive in a friendly way. When an interesting goal is introduced, they'll be more apt to find ways to work together to accomplish it.
