How playing in a team builds leadership skills

It was an exciting Monday for students of Class 6 at the Priyadarshini Vidyamandir in Kandivli, Mumbai, as their morning began with Play. Students were split into groups and given games at random. One such group included five girls who were overjoyed when they received Mechanix and decided to construct something of their choice.

As a group, they first decided what they wanted to construct. It was an amusement park ride, the one which has multiple swings and rotates in circular motions. They then split the tasks among themselves and decided to construct one swing each, and later put it together. One member of the group was handing over bolts and nuts as required and holding the base structure together.

At one point, when there were too many thoughts on how the structure should be put into place, Esha (name changed) stepped in and came to a conclusion for the team. She did this while taking into account everyone’s opinions and perspectives.

“I like play sessions,” she said. “It allows me to have a fun time with my friends and play new games every time. I also enjoy being the leader in a group.”

Play makes learning far more engaging and applicable. It is focused on learner agency, where children have the freedom to make choices. Studies have shown that when you are more invested in your own learning, there is a chance that whatever you have learned is going to stay for longer with you.

Apart from academics, there are also the life skills that children need to succeed as adults. And learning through play also gives children a chance at practicing those skills. When you make children play in a group, they are learning to put forth their perspective and opinions and also listen to the others in the team. And Esha’s group is one such example.