ChildCareGames.com
Co-operative Musical Chairs
Child Care Group Game:
Keeping pre-school age children occupied isn't always easy. Co-operative musical chairs is a great
group child care game to play indoors or out. In addition, pre-schoolers eventually learn what the word
"co-operation" means and have fun while they learn. This team fitness game creates a fun atmosphere
since no child feels "left out". Another benefit to co-operative musical chairs is the fact that since
all your pre-schoolers are involved at the same time they'll all get the same exercise and benefits throughout
the entire game.
How to Play
The co-operative version of this game is very similar to the original musical chairs. Set-up two lines
of chairs back to back. As in the original, make sure there is one chair LESS than the total number of children.
Start the music while the children dance or sing as they march around the two lines of chairs. Randomly stop
the music and have the children quickly find a seat without pushing. Unlike the original version of musical chairs,
the main "goal" of co-operative musical chairs is to make room for all the children every round! To do this the
children will have to use co-operative gestures such as offering to share a seat with another pre-schooler or letting
a fellow student sit on their lap. As in the original, a chair is removed after each round, so more and more
co-operation is needed as the game progresses. As you can see, this is a great game since absolutely no-one is
eliminated or asked to wait in this version of musical chairs. It's a lot of fun to see how the children always
find room for this classmates!
Tips for Pre-School Teachers
1) The key concept of the game (co-operation) might not be picked up immediately or during the first round, so play
the games at least several times. Co-operation and sharing are new concepts to pre-schoolers. Also, many conflicts might
ensue during the first couple of rounds but you'll find the children will enjoy co-operation when they get the hang of it.
View the conflicts as a excellent opportunity for your pre-school children to gain great people skills.
2) As always with pre-schoolers, to improve their problem and reasoning skills ask the children all the right
questions. The easiest way to do this is to ask open ended questions such as, "What do you thing will work better next time?"
or "Raise your hand if you think you have a better idea for co-operation next round". By keeping the questions open-ended, your
students will have to think hard to come up with great ways to co-operate with their fellow students.
3) Don't play this game and not expect a few conflicts! If fact, since these concept are so new to your pre-schoolers, you
might even have to call time out a few times and let things calm down. Don't get frustrated with them, after a few rounds
they'll all want to share their seat or lap with another child. It's wonderfully rewarding to see your students work out
problems and learn the value of co-operation.
Name: Co-operative Musical Chairs
Children: 4 or more
Ages: 4 to 6
Place: Indoors in a large room or outside on grass or pavement
Equipment: Chairs and preschoolers!
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Co-operative musical chairs is a very fun and classic child care game and will bring hours of enjoyment
to any preschool classroom.
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