Helping your child excel at group projects

Group projects have many advantages. They allow kids to do the following:

• Exchange ideas
• Divvy up the work
• Come up with solutions to problems more easily
• Draw on everyone’s strengths
• Learn to collaborate with others
• Develop a sense of camaraderie
• Etc.

Group projects also allow kids to bond, because they get a chance to chat with their group members before and after each work session. As they get to know each other, new friendships are formed, bringing the group closer together and creating a sense of acceptance.

Group projects are all about working with others, so it’s important to remind your child that there’s no I in team. Everybody must pull their weight. To keep things fair, suggest that your child appoint a leader. Far from being the boss, that person will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Defining the group’s objective
• Dividing up the work fairly
• Monitoring the group’s progress
• Making a schedule and keeping everything on track
• Making sure that assignments are handed in
• Etc.

Many problems—whether at school, at home, or during group projects—can be avoided with good communication. Maintaining any type of relationship requires knowing how to express yourself and how to listen. Here are some reminders that will help your child communicate better:

• Be open-minded
• Listen to other people’s needs
• Use “I” sentences
• Don’t put people down
• Admit your mistakes
• Be respectful
• Be understanding
• Etc.

You’ve been teaching your child to be more autonomous for a long time now. By using various strategies, you’ve helped them learn to do lots of little things without your help. It’s important for them to continue exercising their autonomy when working on group projects. That includes doing the following:

• Asking for help
• Finishing their work
• Staying focused
• Making adjustments when necessary
• Etc.

Group projects are only successful when everyone pulls their weight and stays on schedule. Being late (or worse, not doing your part) can make your child look lazy and create unnecessary frustration within the group. Encourage your child to use their agenda and write down important dates. You can also share tips on how to use this valuable tool properly:

• Always have your agenda with you
• Write everything down
• Check your agenda regularly
• Etc.

It’s always important to be respectful. During group projects, your child should be respectful not only of the other group members, but also of their work. Here are a few tips that you can share with them:

• Don’t criticize another person’s work
• Don’t use hurtful words
• Don’t play the blame game
• Don’t talk behind other people’s backs
• Etc.

In short, group projects are a great way to learn about interdependence and how to get along with others.

L’importance de créer des relations d’attachement