Cooperative Play: Fun or Tears?

This is JUDE. He is active, determined, and crazy at times. He loves any car he meets and was elated to build a ramp for his powered motorcycle to go on. ​

Now comes SLOAN. She is equally determined and very imaginative. She loves to tell stories and was elated to build a structure to prevent bad guys from entering the secret passageway. ​

Two kids, two agendas, one space, and shared materials--this is what us speech language pathologists call cooperative play. As you may guess, it can be tricky. In our house it can become a long-lasting fun-filled activity or it can end in tears and yelling. Let's break down the differences in those two outcomes:

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COOPERATIVE PLAY SUCCESS​ES

• ​Everyone has a clear role and actions within that role
• Everyone negotiates spacial boundaries
• Although plans can vary, they do not interfere or prevent actions of others
• Calm, clear language is used to vocalize one's own plan and to request actions of others when needed
• Everyone listens to other's requests and works together to either follow or negotiate something different
• Materials are traded and shared based on vocalized need
• Everyone is flexible when things don't quite go as planned & can problem solve as needed
• Play continues because everyone is having fun

COOPERATIVE PLAY DOWNFALLS

• Roles are unclear and therefore actions in play may become disruptive to someone else's plan
• Spatial boundaries are unclear and one's space can be "invaded"
• Language is unclear or absent from play
• Requests from others are ignored
• Materials are taken or hoarded to maintain one's own agenda in play without regard to others
• Due to lack of flexibility, communication breakdowns, and disregard to other's ideas, emotions become heightened
• Play can be abandoned or materials destroyed due to emotions of frustration or lack of interest in continued play

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Cooperative play is one application of how play and language are so intertwined in development. Does your child have the communication skills needed to join in and play with siblings and other children? Stay tuned for our next blog, which will outline imperative communication skills needed in cooperative play.

Have questions about your child's development? ​

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