What Collaboration Looks Like in the Early Years Program and 5 Ways to Nurture It at Home

Two children lean over a box of crayons, fingers hovering as they negotiate who gets the blue first. Nearby, a student stands with hands clasped behind their back, waiting patiently to be the next line leader. Across the room, a chorus of small voices rises and falls as they count by twos. These moments in an early years classroom aren’t as simple as they appear; they’re the building blocks of collaboration.

Collaboration is one of six learning principles embedded into Graded's teaching and learning practices. Learning is a social and emotional process built upon relationships with others. When children learn to share ideas, listen to one another, negotiate differences, and work toward a shared goal, they develop the foundation for problem-solving, empathy, critical thinking, and confident participation in the classroom.

WHAT COLLABORATION LOOKS LIKE IN THE EARLY YEARS PROGRAM

In the Early Years Program, collaboration begins with learning how to be with others before learning how to work with others. Students are still practicing how to manage their bodies, their materials, and their emotions. 
Collaboration at this age often looks like:

• Sharing materials, listening, taking turns, and respecting personal space.
• Playing side-by-side while engaged in their own imaginative worlds.
• Treating classroom materials with care so that others may enjoy them.
• Moving calmly to maintain a peaceful learning environment.
• Checking in with a teacher when support is needed.
• Taking pride in classroom “jobs” like line leader or snack helper.
• Developing an understanding of the concept of fairness.
• Appreciating clear rules for games and activities.

5 WAYS FAMILIES CAN SUPPORT COLLABORATION AT HOME

1. Model and narrate teamwork.
   Children learn by observing how the adults around them share, work, and play. Try:
   • Cleaning up toys together: “I’ll pick up the cars, you collect the blocks. We’re a team.”
   • Doing a puzzle or building something together: “We helped each other finish this.”
   • Cooking together: “When you peel the garlic, you’re helping make dinner taste delicious for our family.”
   • Asking for help with everyday tasks: “Can you help put this in the laundry basket?”


2. Provide play opportunities that require cooperation.
   Choose activities that you and your child depend on each other to make work. Try:
   • Building a tower together or working on the same coloring page.
   • Pretend play with roles that work together: “You’re the shopkeeper, I’m the customer.”
   • Turn-taking games like “I Spy” or rolling a ball back and forth.


3. Support empathy and perspective-taking.
   Collaboration grows when children begin to consider how others feel and think. Try:
   • Naming emotions during play: “Do you feel frustrated that the tower collapsed?”
   • Inviting reflection: “How do you think your friend felt when they were waiting for their turn?”
   • Reading and discussing stories that highlight friendship and teamwork.


4. Guide through conflict rather than immediately solving an issue.
   Conflict is part of collaboration. The goal is not to avoid it but to practice moving through it. Try:
   • Helping children state the problem: “You both want the same truck.”
   • Brainstorming possible solutions together: “What could we try?”
   • Praising attempts to compromise: “You worked hard to find a solution together.”


5. Encourage reflection after play.
   Reflection helps children notice that collaboration is a process and reinforces positive behavior. Try:
   • Asking simple reflection questions: “How did we solve that problem?”
   • Acknowledging specific moments of collaboration: “You allowed your friend to pick which game to play first. That was kind.”

Learning to collaborate is learning to listen, contribute, negotiate, and care. These early habits shape confident learners and thoughtful community members. And sometimes, it can all begin by handing a classmate a blue crayon.