As an early childhood educator for the past 11 years, I have witnessed the crucial need for continued and varied team-building efforts. Child care centers are a unique workplace where it is common to talk about bodily functions, nap schedules, communicable diseases, and challenging behaviors before lunch even rolls around. Navigating these tricky situations requires excellent communication and the ability to rely on your team members for support. Although it can be hard to fit team building into your school routine, the benefits are worthwhile and can lead to improved communication, increased morale, opportunities for professional development by learning from your peers, and—in my experience—a better quality child care program overall.

Due to hectic care schedules, my center often incorporates team building into our monthly staff meetings.

 Team Building Exercises that Work

1. Wellness Exercises: Incorporating weekly wellness challenges has boosted the camaraderie in my center. We encourage each other to do 5-minute meditations, to take daily walks, and to drink water throughout the day. I don’t even like the taste of water, but my coworkers have encouraged me to take up this healthy habit with their positive feedback.
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   Something as simple as having coffee together can build a sense of community among staff.

   Celebrating Achievements and Milestones: It is important to recognize team members for their personal or professional achievements and to acknowledge life’s milestones. This can be done by posting on a center bulletin board, or admin can provide weekly updates through email. Having your coworkers congratulate you on getting your CDA or wishing you a happy birthday is a great way to show that each team member is valued as a whole person. In general, celebrating achievements helps cultivate a positive work culture and may motivate team members to strive for excellence.

3.  Service Projects: We often teach children the importance of giving back to the community, and adults can also benefit from working together to achieve a common goal. Some of my favorite community service projects include canned food drives, collecting and donating children’s books, and picking up trash in local green spaces. The projects can extend over a long period of time or simply take up an afternoon. We often ask teachers to share about causes that are important to them and then plan service opportunities related to that cause. It is a great way to make a difference while also sharing a fun experience with your coworkers.
4. Group Crafts/Outings: Have you ever made a bracelet with your coworker? It’s fun! The goal of team building is not to stress anyone out. In addition to jewelry making, my coworkers and I have also attended a paint and sip, tie-dyed various articles of clothing, decorated a hat with fabric paint, sang karaoke, and made pizza. I have run into coworkers years later, and we’ll fondly reference the time someone almost dipped her paintbrush into her orange juice.
5. Board Games: Playing games with coworkers can also reduce tension and build stronger relationships in your workplace. After taking a year off during the pandemic, I returned to a center as a teacher and had to acclimate to new staff members. One day, these new staff members shared a game with us that they had played at their old center called Spoons. Playing this game during a few meetings and with the kids provided great bonding moments and a lot of laughter. The new staff members felt good about sharing something new, and it reassured them that they did not have to give up things they enjoyed just because they were in a different environment.
6. Professional Development Opportunities: Early childhood education is a constantly developing field, and it is vitally important to stay up to date with new research and best practices. PD can take many forms including webinars, seminars, online training, conferences, and weekly or monthly meetings. We have a suggestion box and encourage teachers to write down ideas that can be the main topic of future PD training. This gives teachers a voice and it helps address issues that may be going on in different classrooms.

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Engaging in Cycle of Observation, Feedback, and Revision

Once you find team building activities that work for your group, it is important to engage in a cycle of observation, feedback, and revision. Repeating the same team building activities regularly does not allow for creativity nor does it leave room for innovation. My center recently stopped doing potlucks because we observed there were issues with dietary restrictions and unequal participation among teachers.

There is no question that working with children is a truly rewarding career. I would not be 11 years in if I did not love what I do. I also wouldn’t have stuck it out without being able to effectively communicate and collaborate with my peers. Prioritizing meaningful team-building exercises not only enhances teacher well-being but also strengthens the foundation for providing a high-quality early childhood program to young children. When teachers feel valued, supported, and respected by their team, they are motivated to teach and inspire young minds.