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ne afternoon, my son and his friends dragged boxes and blankets into the backyard and began building. “It’s a castle,” one of them declared, already drawing a moat in the dirt. I stepped back and watched their collaboration unfold—tunnels added, towers raised, arguments negotiated. Working together turned simple materials into something much more: a shared project that required planning, compromise, and imagination. It also gave each child a chance to practice communication and take ownership of their ideas.

A few weeks later, they painted a mural on cardboard panels, huddled in our garage. “We picked the colors together,” my son said proudly. Each child had a hand in it—some outlined shapes, others filled them in. They took turns explaining their parts when neighbors stopped to admire the work. These projects didn’t just nurture creativity; they taught kids to speak up, listen, and reflect. With each new group effort, their ability to revise and collaborate deepened—and so did their pride in what they made together.

Encourage your child to create with others, whether by inviting friends for a shared art session or helping them coordinate a group build. Ask, “What are you working on together?” and offer support without taking over. Let them document their process with photos or sketches, and celebrate the final result as a team effort. These experiences prepare children for real-world collaboration, where clear communication, respect, and shared vision turn simple ideas into meaningful creations.

TIPS

• Plan group projects like art or building.
• Praise their teamwork to show you value their work.
• Set up weekly group activities.
• Ask “What are you making?” to start ideas.

ACTIVITIES

• Group Build: Make something with friends, ask, “What are you making?” Create for 15 minutes.
• Mural Share: Paint together, talk about their ideas, 20 minutes.