Play Together Grow Together: A Cooperative Curriculum for Teachers of Young Children

This book is a resource guide that provides examples of cooperative activities and techniques that teachers can incorporate in and adapt to their own classrooms. The premise upon which the book is based is that a cooperative environment stimulates children to explore the aspect of school life that appeals to them--the chance to play with others--and teachers are stimulated to focus on social growth, to respond when children need to build social skills, and to share with children and parents a commitment to cooperation. The guide supports theme-based curriculum with cooperative ideas and values, as well as an interest-centered classroom. It is organized in chapters according to types of activity. Chapters 1 through 10 of the book are each focused on a major curriculum area. The first section of each chapter describes concepts and skills within the curriculum area that foster cooperation. The second section presents examples inspired by classroom teachers of the cooperative ideas in action. Chapter 11 provides guidelines and suggestions for fostering social skills, in three sections: reducing and resolving conflict situations, helping individual children who have problems with social skills, and enhancing prosocial behavior.