Updated for 2025
What is a team player? First and foremost, it's someone who acts for the good of the group before they act for themselves. It's the habit of thinking of others first and equally, the habit of acting on those thoughts. If you're wondering how to teach kids teamwork, some of the best ways include team sports and board games – both proven methods for building genuine cooperation skills.
Depending on your child's age, the first thing to teach is empathy for others and the skills needed to view the bigger picture. For example, teaching children cooperation starts with helping them understand how others might be feeling in a certain situation. This is key to raising a team player who genuinely cares about their teammates.
If your child is generally confident in social situations, it's a good idea to teach them to ensure others who might not be so confident are always included in games. Teach them to look out for children who might be feeling left out or who are too shy to join in. A skill like this will take your child very far in life as people will quickly view them as kind, responsible and empathetic – all of which are of course, very desirable characteristics.
Age-Specific Strategies: How to Teach Teamwork by Age
Teaching kids teamwork looks different depending on your child's age. Understanding these stages helps you introduce cooperation skills at the right time.
Younger children (ages 4–7) building the foundations of cooperation
Younger children benefit from simple turn-taking games and activities where they can see the immediate benefit of cooperation. Board games for kids like Snakes and Ladders or Candy Land teach patience and waiting their turn without feeling left out. At this age, children are just beginning to understand that others have feelings and perspectives different from their own.
Primary school children (ages 7–11) developing team player skills
For primary school children, you can introduce more complex team concepts. This is the perfect age to enrol them in team sports like football, netball, or rounders. At this age, children start to understand strategy and how their individual effort contributes to the team's success. Praise their effort and teamwork, not just winning – this builds intrinsic motivation to be a good teammate.
Teenagers (ages 11+): Leadership and emotional maturity
Teenagers can handle deeper conversations about leadership, supporting teammates who are struggling, and managing disappointment when things don't go to plan. They're also more aware of social dynamics, so discussing how to include quieter friends or stand up against exclusion becomes increasingly important. This is when raising empathetic children really pays off – they become natural advocates for inclusion.
Building Emotional Intelligence: A Key Team Player Skill
Being part of a team means managing your own emotions and recognising others' feelings. Building emotional intelligence in children is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them. Help your child develop emotional awareness by asking questions like: "How do you think your teammate felt when they made that mistake?" or "What could you say to encourage someone who's feeling down?"
Teach them that everyone has off days. Patience and compassion with others is vital if your child is to be a team player. That means never losing faith in others as they try their best – even if their best isn't quite hitting the mark! Model this behaviour yourself by showing patience and encouragement when family members struggle.
You might also introduce simple mindfulness techniques to help children manage frustration or disappointment during team activities. A few deep breaths before a game or after a loss can help reset emotions and maintain a positive team spirit. Teaching kids emotional regulation alongside teamwork creates well-rounded, resilient individuals.
Best Team Sports & Games to Teach Cooperation
From an early age, engaging in board games and team sports are great for helping your child learn the fundamentals of being a team player. This includes turn-taking and patience.
Talk to your child about the importance of helping others and ensuring everyone feels they are fairly treated. Enrol your child in sports clubs either through school or after school. This independent boys’ school in London provides many opportunities for students to join sporting activities and to grow as valued members of the student community. Popular options include football, netball, rugby, cricket, and swimming clubs. Each teaches different aspects of teamwork – some emphasise communication, others focus on strategy or physical support.
Board games are equally valuable for teaching kids cooperation. Games like Ticket to Ride, Catan Junior, or even cooperative games like Pandemic teach children to think strategically about group goals. Cooperative games, where players work together against the game itself rather than competing, are particularly brilliant for building genuine teamwork without the pressure of winning or losing against friends. These games naturally encourage discussion, negotiation, and compromise – all essential team player skills.
Handling Conflict and Disagreement: Teaching Kids to Resolve Team Issues
Part of being a team player is learning to navigate disagreements respectfully. Teach your child that it's okay to have different opinions, but how you express them matters. Help them practise phrases like: "I see it differently, but let's figure this out together" or "That's a good idea – what if we also tried...?"
When conflicts arise during games or activities, use them as teaching moments rather than shutting them down. Ask your child what happened, how everyone felt, and what they could do differently next time. This builds problem-solving skills and empathy simultaneously – two hallmarks of a true team player.
The Ripple Effect of Raising Empathetic Children
When you invest in teaching your child to be a team player, you're giving them a gift that extends far beyond sports or games. Employers value teamwork and collaboration. Friendships deepen through mutual support. Families function better when everyone considers the group's wellbeing.
Start small – a weekly board game night, a sports club, or simply praising your child when you see them including a friend who's left out. These habits compound over time, and before long, you'll notice your child naturally thinking of others and stepping up to support their teammates. You're not just raising a team player; you're raising a kind, emotionally intelligent human being.
K Elizabeth xoxox
*Collaborative Post
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