Value of the Month: Cooperation
At Meritton British International School, we believe that education extends far beyond the classroom walls. It’s about instilling core values that prepare our students for success in all aspects of life. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on a crucial life skill: Cooperation. Learning to work as a team is an essential foundation for developing other vital social skills such as patience, effective communication, respect, and trust. This isn’t just a school initiative; it’s a partnership with our parent community. As the former US President Harry Truman wisely said, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit”.
How to Reinforce the “Value of the Month: Cooperation” at Home
Working together, both at school and at home, allows us to achieve so much more. The Meritton British International School encourages parents to reinforce the value of cooperation through these seven practical tips:
- Model Cooperative Behaviour: Children learn by example. When they see you acting cooperatively with family and friends—respecting others, taking turns, and being a good team player—they are more likely to emulate this behavior. Your actions are a powerful testament to the value of teamwork.
- Do Chores Together : Help your child feel like they are part of a team effort, not just being told what to do. Start this practice at a young age. By doing tasks together, like setting the table or helping with laundry, you can show them the immediate benefits of cooperation. For example, “Look how fast we did the laundry! Now we have time to sit down and read a book together”.
- Plan Teamwork Activities: Incorporate games and activities that require working together. Board games, cooking, or even timed cleanup sessions can teach children how to collaborate effectively. Joining weekend clubs, such as outdoor adventure programs, is another fantastic way to build these skills.
- Encourage Fair Play: Set clear, fair guidelines for group activities. The most effective rules, like taking turns and listening to others, are those that children help create themselves. This fosters a sense of ownership and respect for the rules.
- Teach Problem-Solving: Don’t immediately “fix” every squabble. Instead, patiently guide your children to think about different ways to solve their problems together. This helps them learn valuable, lifelong skills of compromise and resolution through experience.
- Reflect on the Experience: After a cooperative task, engage your child in a conversation. Ask questions like, “How did working as a team help you?” or “How would it have been different if you had to do it by yourself?”. This encourages critical thinking and helps them truly understand the benefits of their actions.
- Praise Effort, Not Personality: When you notice your child working well with others, praise their effort. Giving feedback like, “Wow, I can see how hard you worked together,” encourages children to see that their hard work leads to results. This reinforces the idea that their actions, not some innate trait, are what makes them a good team player.
A Community United in Cooperation at Meritton British International School
The “Value of the Month: Cooperation” is a cornerstone of our community at Meritton British International School. We recently saw this value in action during our ‘Wai Kru‘ (Teacher Respect) event, where students from Pre-nursery to Year 7 worked together to prepare flower cones for their teachers. This event not only showed gratitude but also gave students a chance to practice values such as cooperation, responsibility, and respect.
By modeling these principles at home and encouraging teamwork in everyday life, you are partnering with Meritton British International School to equip your child with the skills they need to succeed in any future endeavor. Together, we can help our students become confident, empathetic, and cooperative individuals who can achieve amazing things.
