Gentle ways to support sharing and cooperation during play, helping children build patience, teamwork, and emotional confidence.
Playtime is when children feel most relaxed and open. It’s a time for imagination, movement, and connection. It’s also when sharing and cooperation can feel difficult. Toys feel important, turns feel long, and strong emotions can show up quickly.
For many families, this leads to a common question: How can we support sharing without forcing it?
Cooperation grows best when children feel safe, understood, and supported. With small, thoughtful changes, everyday play can become a natural way for children to practise patience, teamwork, and emotional confidence.
Before children can share or play together easily, they often need time to play next to others. Side-by-side play allows children to focus on their own activity while still being aware of someone else nearby.
Offering similar toys, such as two sets of blocks or drawing materials can reduce frustration and pressure. Over time, children begin to notice each other’s ideas and may choose to interact on their own. This gentle start helps cooperation develop naturally.
Waiting can be hard, especially during exciting play. Instead of rushing children or dismissing their feelings, acknowledge the wait and offer guidance.
Simple language like, “Waiting is hard. Let’s find something to do while you wait,” helps children feel understood. Giving them a small task or choice keeps them engaged and turns waiting into a skill they can practise, rather than a negative experience.
Children learn how to cooperate by hearing how families speak during play. The words used in these moments matter.
Rather than saying, “You need to share,” try language such as:
This kind of language shows children that cooperation is about working together, not being told what to do.
When small conflicts happen, it can be helpful to pause before stepping in. Gentle questions invite children to think and take part in finding a solution.
Questions like, “What happened?” or “What might help right now?” give children a voice. Even if the solution isn’t perfect, being involved helps build confidence and flexibility during future play.
Some plays naturally support cooperation. Activities that require shared effort such as building something together, completing a puzzle, or carrying an item as a team, help children experience what working together feels like.
These moments show children that cooperation can be enjoyable and rewarding and not something they are forced to do.
When children try to wait, take turns, or find another idea, noticing the effort makes a difference.
Simple comments like, “You waited while they finished,” or “You found something else to play with,” help children recognise their progress. This encourages them to keep practising cooperation over time.
Children are more open to cooperation when play feels relaxed. Too many rules or interruptions can make play feel stressful.
Allowing play to unfold naturally, with gentle support when needed, helps children stay calm and connected. A peaceful environment makes it easier for children to listen, adapt, and work with others.
Sharing and cooperation develop slowly through everyday experiences. They are not skills children learn all at once.
When families approach playtime with patience and understanding, children learn that relationships are built on respect, flexibility, and connection. Each small moment of cooperation during play helps children feel more confident and capable as they grow.