Why teach your child to be a team player?

By Makini Schools Headteachers – Catherine Njuguna and Jean Wachira

Teamwork is so essential to what we do in our classrooms each and every day.

There are plenty of reasons to teach your child how to be more of a “Go team!” The best teams are made up of people who work together and are willing to make sacrifices. A team with kind players who support each other will generally perform better than a group of individuals who work in silos.

Learning to work in a team is undoubtedly one of the most important skills that one can learn. It has been identified as a crucial competency of 21st century learning. As a result, many schools and curricula have placed a renewed emphasis on group-work and collaboration to equip students with this vital skill.

The ability to work as a team is not just a skill that children need at school – it’s an essential skill they will use for the rest of their life. Just as children are taught other life skills, they need to be taught how to work as a team to achieve their goals and ambitions.

The elements of being a team player are varied. The trust factor is undeniably at the heart of all things related to teamwork. Having the faith to delegate tasks and allowing individuals the freedom to make decisions requires a great degree of trust. It boils down to putting your fate and that of the teams in the hands of others.

When children learn to be part of a team, they benefit in several ways:

They learn more about interpersonal ways of thinking and improve their ability to communicate with others.
Teamwork helps children feel like part of a community, which is important to their well being.
Communication, social, and emotional skills are all strengthened when children learn to work as a team, which improves their self-esteem, ability to be empathetic and their confidence.
Children experience the success in their projects by working in a team and this reinforces commitment to the team-goal and the ability to compromise.

It is undeniable that being part of a team leaves one vulnerable as it takes the individual out of their comfort zone: having to cope with the team’s expectations, being responsible for motivating your teammates and coping with your own doubts. These demands are often magnified by the fact that most team activities often take place in public arenas- contact or virtual – thereby increasing the fear of failure. However, over time, as with other skills, children become better at it. This is made possible through the opportunities given to the learners to engage in teamwork, more so, in the new Competency Based Curriculum implemented in Kenya.

Ultimately, celebrating an achievement brought about by united effort remains one of the greatest rewards of teamwork and allows the children a bonding experience that leads them to develop lifelong friendships.

As Headteachers, it remains our firm belief that teamwork remains one of humanity’s greatest assets. Its unlimited potential will undoubtedly be vital in overcoming the political, economic and social challenges that currently beset our world, for after all, our children are the leaders of tomorrow.

Collaboration and Teamwork in Elearning

Arguably, one of the greatest advances made in education in the past decade has been the use of collaborative learning or learning in teams. Students learn better in teams and find it a more enjoyable learning experience. The formation of a community of learners is vital for development of successful collaborative work, critical thinking skills and building up the skills for life-long learning.

Some examples, as applied in our virtual classrooms, include:

Creation of discussion chats during lessons
Creating a classroom community where meaningful conversations can happen is not easy. It is an ongoing process that takes time. But using online discussion tools can be one great way to help your students build these skills. Plus, the ability to engage in online discussions responsibly is a great 21st-century skill in itself.
Allowing learners to agree, build and challenge other learners’ responses and ideas
Ask open-ended questions that offer the opportunity for debate. Curiosity is key and having a healthy debate is crucial to critical thinking as well as learning to consider diverse viewpoints.
Giving learners a chance to show case their work through presentation, which also builds their confidence.
Allow learners to come up with their team structure that defines each learner’s role.
Provide interactive learning opportunities.
Allow to come up with learning resources for team teaching.

Teamwork makes the dream work – John Maxwell

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Building Executive Function Skills in Primary School Children

February 10, 2026

Executive function skills are the mental processes that help children plan, focus, remember instructions and manage their behaviour. These skills act as the brain’s “control system,” guiding how children think, learn and interact with others. In primary school, strong executive function supports academic success as well as emotional maturity, independence and positive social behaviour. For parents and educators alike, understanding how these skills develop is critical to supporting child brain development in meaningful, practical ways. What Are Executive Function Skills? Executive function skills are commonly grouped into three core areas: 1. Working memory: This is the ability to hold and use information. For example, remembering multi-step instructions. 2. Cognitive flexibility. This is the ability to adapt, shift thinking and try new approaches. 3. Inhibitory control: This is the ability to pause, resist impulses and regulate behaviour. When a child remembers their homework, switches from maths to reading and waits their turn to speak, they are using executive functioning in kids in everyday situations. These skills develop gradually and are shaped by experience, guidance and environment. This is especially true during early and primary years. Read more on why early development is important. Why Executive Function Skills Matter in Primary School In school settings, executive skills directly affect learning as well as behaviour. · Working memory in children helps them to follow lessons · Self-regulation skills for students assists in managing emotions · Improving attention in school children is essential during tasks · Impulse control in classrooms helps to reduce disruptions Learners with strong executive functioning are better able to complete tasks, organise their work, manage frustration and collaborate with their peers. These skills also support independence and help children take responsibility for routines, deadlines and their personal behaviour. Key Challenges Children Might Face Some common signs of underdeveloped executive skills include: · Forgetting instructions or losing items · Struggling to switch between different tasks · Acting impulsively or interrupting the class · Difficulty managing emotions · Poor time awareness These challenges don’t mean that a child is lazy or incapable. They often reflect developing brain systems that simply need a little guidance and practice. How Parents Can Support Executive Function at Home Parents play a powerful role in shaping executive function. Simple daily strategies can be incorporated into their day to strengthen these skills naturally. Some helpful approaches include: 1. Create Structured Routines Consistent daily routines help children predict what comes next, strengthening organisation as well as emotional regulation. 2. Use Visual Schedules Charts or picture schedules support working memory in children by making expectations visible. 3. Play Memory and Focus Games Try matching card games, Simon Says, puzzles and sequencing games. These support attention, recall and flexible thinking. 4. Encourage Problem-Solving Let children help with cooking steps, packing school bags and planning simple outings. This builds independence and cognitive flexibility in primary education. When there is strong parental engagement, there is a direct impact on executive growth. Discover more on the impact of parental involvement . Classroom Strategies for Teachers Teachers are ideally positioned to reinforce executive skills on a daily basis. Some effective classroom strategies include: 1. Task chunking - Break assignments into smaller steps to reduce cognitive overload. 2. Use of timers and checklists – These are known to improve time awareness and self-regulation skills for students. 3. Positive Reinforcement - Praise effort, strategy and reflection, not just the outcomes. 4. Mindfulness and calm-down techniques - Simple breathing, quiet corners or reflection time can help strengthen emotional control and attention. These strategies are especially valuable in supporting impulse control in classrooms and improving overall learning flow. When to Seek Extra Help If challenges persist despite consistent support, children may benefit from professional assessment. Some signs for parents and educators to watch for include: · Chronic forgetfulness · Extreme impulsivity · Emotional dysregulation · Difficulty following basic routines Educational psychologists or SEN specialists can help identify neurodivergent patterns (such as ADHD) and guide tailored interventions. Early support ensures children build confidence rather than frustration. Encouraging Growth Through Play and Daily Practice Play is one of the most powerful tools for executive development. Activities that build executive function include: · Storytelling and role-play · Group games - Consider turn-taking or rule-based games · Pretend shops or restaurants · Reflection discussions about feelings or decisions These experiences strengthen executive functioning in kids in a natural and pressure-free way. Schools that prioritise early holistic learning , such as in strong preschool systems, give children a strong base for future academic success. Conclusion: Building Brains for Life Executive function skills are not fixed traits. They are trainable abilities that grow through consistent support, practice and patience. From working memory to impulse control, these skills shape how children learn, behave and relate to others. At Makini School we aim to create a supportive environment where our educators can nurture strong thinkers, confident learners and emotionally resilient students, building not just academic success, but lifelong capability. FAQs 1. What are the three main executive function skills in children? Working memory, cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. 2. How can I tell if my child has weak executive functioning? Frequent forgetfulness, impulsivity, emotional difficulty and poor organisation are common signs. 3. What are fun activities to boost executive function in young children? Memory games, storytelling, puzzles, role-play and routine-based tasks. 4. How do executive function skills affect learning in school? They support focus, task completion, emotional control and classroom behaviour. 5. Can executive function skills be improved over time? Yes. With regular practice and supportive environments, executive skills develop steadily throughout childhood.