Cooperative Games

What Are Cooperative Games?#

Most games have winners and losers — one team wins and another team loses. But cooperative games are different! In a cooperative game, everyone works together toward the same goal. Everyone wins together, or everyone tries together!

Why Play Cooperative Games?#

Cooperative games teach us important life skills:

Teamwork — Working with other people toward a shared goal is one of the most important skills you can learn. In almost every job and activity in life, you will need to work with others.

Communication — To work together, you need to talk, listen, and share ideas with your teammates.

Encouragement — In cooperative games, you cheer for everyone — not against anyone. You say things like "Good job!" and "You can do it!"

Problem-solving — When your team faces a challenge, you work together to figure out a solution.

Including everyone — Cooperative games make sure nobody is left out. Every person has a role and is important to the team.

Cooperative vs. Competitive Games#

Both types of games are valuable! Competitive games are fun and teach handling wins and losses. Cooperative games teach teamwork and inclusion.

Good Teamwork Behaviors#

When playing cooperative games (or any team activity), practice these behaviors:

• Listen to your teammates' ideas
• Share your ideas clearly and kindly
• Encourage people who are struggling
• Celebrate everyone's successes
• Accept that sometimes things do not work — try again with a new strategy!
• Include everyone — no leaving anyone out