In small groups children will work together to build a block tower while holding hands.

Age range: 3-6

Theme Area: Resolving Conflicts

Learning Goals:
Children will learn to work together to accomplish a task.
Children will learn to express their feelings and opinions and to negotiate with others.
Children will understand that there are different ways to approach a familiar task.

Materials Needed:
Building blocks or puzzles

Directions:
Invite a small group of 4 or 6 children to join you. Have blocks or a puzzle available to use. Explain what the children will have to do. "I have a very special job for you to do today. I want you to build a block tower. This is going to be a very special block tower, because while you build it, you have to hold hands with a partner."

Ask a child to hold hands with you, and model how to build a tower (or put a puzzle together) with a partner.

Divide the children into pairs. Say, "Okay, are you ready to work together? How will you get the job done if you can only use one hand each?" Listen to children's ideas. Then say, "Those are all great ideas. Now it's time to get to work. Just remember, you have to keep holding hands all the time as you work."
Keep watch as the children work together. Gently remind them of the rules if they begin to use more than one hand. Encourage them to work out any problems that may arise.

Following Up:
Read books about resolving conflicts, such as Don't Fight, Davy by Brigitte Weninger, and The Pillow War by Matt Novak.
Ask children to think of some other tasks they can do hand-in-hand, such as painting a picture or reading a story.