Getting Along With Others at School – Tips for Cooperation

Do you work with students who have trouble getting along with others at school? Do you ever find yourself thinking I wish this group of kids could just get along better and cooperate?  Maybe it is during a group therapy session, a play date, recess or siblings that could benefit from some tips to help them cooperate.

Suggestions for Students Who Have Trouble Getting Along with Others At School

Here are tips to help you teach children how to get along:

Model the behavior.

When you are with other adults or children, model good manners by not interrupting, taking turns and sharing.

Praise children.

Catch them when they are cooperating and praise them for the good behavior.  Be specific.  Instead of saying “good job” say “I like how you waited your turn” or “I am proud of you for sharing your favorite toy.

Let the children problem solve.

Whenever able, let the children work it out themselves without interfering. This teaches independence with problem solving and critical thinking.

Use Social Stories.

You can write social stories with pictures to help teach children who to get along with others.  Read more about how to write social stories here.

Practice cooperation.

If necessary, try different role playing activities so that the children can actually learn to share, wait their turn, be polite, etc in a non threatening environment. Use pretend play props and themes to encourage learning to get along with others at school through play.

Teach Self Regulation Skills

Many children need to be taught self-regulation skills and allow for ample practice time to develop these skills further. When children can exhibit self-control and display emotional regulation it helps everyone to get along. If students continue to have difficulties with emotional regulation skills, explore emotions further.

This 16 Self-Regulation Flash Card Set in printable PDF format includes health lessons and self-regulation techniques that combine activities based on creative movement, yoga, and Brain Gym(R).

Play games that encourage getting along with others at school.

Keep it fun when teaching how to get along with others at school. Check out  Cooperative Activities for Kids: 12 Playful Activities to Get Kids Working and Moving Together for specific ideas. This book includes photos and directions to participate in 12 cooperative activity ideas for kids.  The activities are simple to carry out and require few to no supplies.  Each page includes what you need to complete the activity, what to do, how to change it up and skill areas addressed.  The authors of the book are pediatric therapists and mothers so you are getting some tried and true activity ideas.