3 Ways for teachers to embed collaborative learning with ease in preschool today

By Michael Hilkemeijer

 

 

 

Why Collaboration in Education Matters More Than Ever

Understand what collaboration means in education—and how it transforms teaching and learning in the classroom.

In today’s classrooms, successful teaching no longer depends solely on what one educator can achieve alone. Whether you’re supporting young learners or working as part of a teaching team, the ability to collaborate has become an essential skill—for both teachers and students.

But what does collaboration really mean in education? Why is it so important to embed collaborative learning in the classroom—and how can it transform children’s outcomes?

Let’s explore these questions and introduce powerful collaboration strategies that can help you lay the foundation for a thriving, connected learning environment.

 

 

What Does Collaboration Mean in Education?

At its heart, collaboration in education is about working together with a shared goal. It means:

• Teachers working with colleagues to improve teaching practice and share ideas.

• Children engaging in group tasks that require teamwork, negotiation, and problem-solving.

• Families and educators connecting to support a child’s learning journey.

In the classroom, collaborative learning is more than just putting students in groups. It’s a deliberate teaching approach where learners build knowledge together, support each other, and develop interpersonal skills like empathy, communication, and critical thinking.

 

 

Why Collaboration Is Important in Education

Whether in early childhood or primary school, the benefits of collaborative learning in education are profound:

BENEFIT	IMPACT ON CHILDREN
Builds Social Confidence	Children learn to express their ideas and listen to others.
Supports Deeper Learning	Ideas are expanded through group discussion and shared exploration.
Encourages Responsibility	Each learner plays a role and contributes to the group’s success.
Strengthens Problem Solving	Children learn to compromise, negotiate, and think critically.
Mirrors Real Life	Collaboration reflects how people work together in the world beyond school.

 

It’s also vital for educators. Working collaboratively with colleagues supports continuous improvement, helps reduce workload, and builds a culture of shared success across a service or school.

 

 

 

Collaboration Strategies in Education: Where to Begin?

If you're asking how do I start encouraging collaborative learning in the classroom?—you’re not alone.

Here are several practical strategies that are developmentally appropriate and research-informed:

 

1. Use Think-Pair-Share Routines

This classic technique promotes thoughtful discussion. Ask a question, give children time to think individually, then pair them up to talk it through before sharing with the group.

2. Scaffold Collaborative Roles

Clearly define each child's role in a group task—such as “recorder,” “collector,” or “presenter.” This helps children stay focused, accountable, and develop different communication skills (TLTC, University of Maryland).

3. Design Low-Risk, High-Value Group Work

Start with short, engaging activities that allow children to work together without fear of “failing.” Puzzle tasks, shared drawing, or group storytelling can help build confidence and mutual respect (GWU GSEHD, 2023).

4. Create Group Tasks That Require Interdependence

Instead of letting one child do all the work, create tasks that require teamwork—like constructing a model together, planning a digital scavenger hunt, or co-authoring a story using Book Creator.

5. Include Peer Feedback and Reflection

After a group activity, invite children to reflect on how well they worked together. Ask questions like “How did we help each other?” or “What made our team strong today?”

6. Promote Active Listening

Teach and model listening skills explicitly. Use prompts like “repeat what your partner said” or “ask your partner one question.” These habits encourage empathy and deepen learning.

 

Sources:

• Teaching and Learning Transformation Center, University of Maryland. “Teamwork & Collaborative Learning.”

• George Washington University GSEHD (2023). “10 Strategies to Build Student Collaboration in the Classroom.”

 

 

 

What Does Collaborative Learning Look Like in the Classroom?

It’s purposeful. It’s child-led. It’s supported by the environment.

Here are real examples of collaboration in education that illustrate this beautifully:

• A group of preschoolers use a Bee-Bot together to map out a pretend journey, each taking turns to input steps while narrating the story aloud.

• Children co-create a nature soundscape using recorded bird calls and rustling leaves, discussing how to layer their sounds using an app.

• Educators co-plan a digital scavenger hunt where pairs of learners scan QR codes and report back on their findings.

Each of these activities not only builds content knowledge—it strengthens the social fabric of the classroom.

 

 

Collaboration Strategies Support All Learners

While this blog has focused on general classroom strategies, it's important to note that collaborative learning takes on a unique and powerful role in early childhood settings.

In fact, some of the most effective and developmentally appropriate early childhood education teaching strategies are grounded in collaboration—from shared problem-solving to group digital storytelling.

 

That’s exactly what we’ll explore in our next post:
Why collaboration is essential in early childhood education, and how educators can implement collaborative practices that enrich learning, build relationships, and support the whole child.

 

 

 

 

How Children Collaborate in Early Childhood: What It Looks Like and Why It Matters

Collaboration is one of the most powerful learning tools available to young children. Long before they master reading or writing, children are developing communication, empathy, and problem-solving through their interactions with one another.

 

But what does collaboration in early childhood actually look like? How can we recognise it during play or group work? And why is it so critical to children’s development—especially in the early years?

 

This blog explores how children collaborate in early childhood education, backed by real examples from ICT-integrated lesson plans used by members of the ICT in Education Teacher Academy.

 

 

 

What Does Collaboration Look Like in Early Childhood?

Collaboration in the early years is more than just “playing nicely.” It includes:

• Working toward a shared goal (e.g. completing a group project or solving a problem)

• Taking turns and negotiating roles

• Listening to others’ ideas and contributing their own

• Using verbal and non-verbal cues to communicate during play

• Creating something together—a story, a design, a digital outcome

Importantly, collaborative play in early childhood education can look messy or unpredictable—but it’s full of rich learning moments.

 

 

 

Real Examples of Children Collaborating Through ICT-Integrated Activities

Inside the ICT in Education Teacher Academy, collaboration is embedded across dozens of lesson plans. Here are just a few examples that illustrate children collaborating in authentic and developmentally appropriate ways:

 

🐝 Bee-Bot Abstract Art (Problem Solving + Shared Control)

Lesson Plan Example: Children gather in a circle around a Bee-Bot. Each child takes a turn inputting commands while others help guide direction or choose marker colours.

Collaboration Behaviours Observed:

• Turn-taking and shared decision-making

• Negotiating changes in movement or colour

• Reflecting together on the final artwork

Learning Benefit: Children develop communication, digital fluency, and creativity—togetherProblem solving activit….

 

 

📷 Digital Nature Walk and Photography (Co-Investigation)

Lesson Plan Example: Pairs or small groups use tablets to photograph interesting textures and colours outdoors. They later build a digital collage or slideshow together.

Collaboration Behaviours Observed:

• Sharing the device and deciding who captures each photo

• Discussing what they’ve found (“Let’s take a picture of this leaf!”)

• Helping each other frame and focus the shot

Learning Benefit: Promotes observation, teamwork, and shared documentation of learningDigital nature walk and….

 

 

 

🎙️ Outdoor Digital Storytelling (Shared Narratives)

Lesson Plan Example: Children record nature sounds and narrate a story based on their discoveries. They collaborate to build a single digital story using Book Creator or iMovie.

Collaboration Behaviours Observed:

• Combining recordings from multiple children

• Taking turns adding voice-over sections

• Building a shared narrative by connecting ideas

Learning Benefit: Builds oral language, creativity, and group coordinationOutdoor digital storyte….

 

 

 

Why Is Collaboration So Important for Young Children?

Whether indoors or outside, children collaborating in early childhood are building lifelong skills. Here’s how:

AREA OF DEVELOPMENT	COLLABORATIVE BENEFIT
🧠 Cognitive	Builds problem-solving and reasoning by listening and co-deciding
🗣️ Communication	Enhances expressive and receptive language through peer interaction
🤝 Social-emotional	Develops empathy, patience, turn-taking, and cooperation
🎨 Creativity	Sparks imagination as children co-create and share ideas
🧭 Agency	Children learn to assert themselves while respecting others

 

 

 

How Educators Can Support Collaboration

To strengthen collaborative play and learning, educators can:

• Design open-ended group tasks that require teamwork (e.g. building, coding, storytelling)

• Model collaboration language, like “Let’s try this together” or “What do you think we should do next?”

• Observe and document how children negotiate, help, and respond to peers

• Celebrate group effort, not just individual success

• Use digital tools that invite shared input and co-creation

In the membership, every lesson plan includes notes on group structure, roles, and how to observe collaborative learning outcomes—all aligned with EYLF outcomes like 1.4 (Learning relationships) and 5.3 (Using language to connect with others).

 

 

 

What to Look For When Children Collaborate

Educators can ask themselves:

• Are children making joint decisions during the activity?

• Are they listening to each other and responding respectfully?

• Are they solving small problems or resolving disagreements together?

• Are they showing pride in something they’ve created as a team?

These signs tell us that children are not only learning alongside others—they’re learning with them.

 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts: The Role of Collaboration in the Early Years

True collaboration helps children thrive—not only academically but socially and emotionally. It nurtures the skills they’ll use throughout life: listening, leading, sharing, reflecting, and creating with others.

And when educators are equipped with practical lesson plans that intentionally promote collaboration, those benefits multiply.

Inside the ICT in Education Teacher Academy, members apply these strategies every day—designing classroom experiences where children work together, think together, and learn together.

Because when collaboration is supported early, the results are lasting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collaborating with Other Teachers: How Peer Teaching Strengthens Early Childhood Education

Educators don’t teach in isolation. Whether you work in a long day care setting, kindergarten, or early years classroom, the most effective practices often come from shared insight, observation, and collaboration with others.

 

When early childhood teachers learn how to collaborate with other teachers, they unlock a deeper level of professional growth—one that improves planning, delivery, and the experiences they create for children.

 

This blog explores the importance of collaboration in early childhood education, with a special focus on teacher collaboration. We’ll examine what it is, why it matters, and how you can engage in it meaningfully—while also showing how a supportive professional community can amplify this learning journey.

 

 

 

What Is Teacher Collaboration in Early Childhood Education?

Teacher collaboration in early childhood education refers to educators working together to plan, implement, assess, and reflect on teaching practices. This collaboration can occur:

• Within teams (e.g. between room leaders, assistants, and co-educators)

• Across services or schools (e.g. professional learning networks)

• Online or face-to-face (e.g. webinars, teacher communities, or lesson sharing)

According to the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), collaborative teaching builds a culture of improvement—where educators share best practice, challenge assumptions, and support each other to grow (AITSL, 2024).

 

 

 

Why Collaboration Between Teachers Matters in ECE

The importance of collaboration in early childhood education is often discussed in terms of child learning—but it’s just as powerful for teachers.

 

Teacher Benefit	What It Enables
🧠 Shared Pedagogy	Builds consistent approaches and aligned language across teams
🛠️ More Effective Planning	Combines ideas, resources, and perspectives
🎯 Professional Clarity	Encourages goal-setting and reflective teaching
🤝 Emotional Support	Creates trust, reduces burnout, and builds belonging
📈 Continuous Improvement	Enables educators to challenge, refine, and strengthen practice

 

As Edutopia states, “Educators who work together become better together”—and this is especially true in early childhood, where daily practice requires adaptability, reflection, and responsive action (Edutopia, 2023).

 

 

 

 

How to Collaborate with Other Teachers: Foundational Strategies

Here are some effective, research-backed strategies to help early childhood educators collaborate meaningfully:

👥 1. Co-Planning Learning Experiences

Meet regularly to co-design play-based learning opportunities. Use shared documentation to align on learning goals and child interests.

 

👂 2. Observe Each Other in Practice

Try peer observation—even for short periods. Use an observation tool and follow up with a reflective conversation.

 

🗣️ 3. Share Successes and Failures

Set aside time to reflect as a team. What worked? What didn’t? What would you change next time?

 

📋 4. Use Shared Assessment Tools

Collaborate on formative assessment by using common documentation methods, observation guides, or reflection prompts.

 

🌐 5. Join Wider Professional Learning Communities

Connect with educators beyond your service—online or in person—to share resources, discuss challenges, and gain perspective.

“When teachers collaborate, they share ownership of student success, and they bring out the best in each other.”
— American University School of Education (2023)

 

 

 

 

What It Looks Like in Practice: Examples from Members

Inside the ICT in Education Teacher Academy, educators actively collaborate across contexts, age groups, and settings. Here’s how teacher collaboration is amplified through the membership—without needing to leave your service.

Member Action	What They Collaborate On	How It Helps
Share reflections	Critical reflection posts inside the community	Helps others adapt lessons and anticipate challenges
Co-adapt plans	Collaborate on lesson customisation for different classrooms	Increases flexibility and differentiation confidence
Respond to PD videos	Discuss how videos apply to their settings	Sparks new ideas and clarifies learning goals
Use the Wisdom Tool	Search others’ solutions to shared problems	Accelerates problem-solving and practical change

 

These interactions happen daily—and they aren’t confined to one centre or state. Members learn from educators across Australia and internationally, building a unique peer-to-peer teaching network.

 

 

 

From Strategy to Transformation: Collaboration Through the Success Path

The Success Path inside the membership supports teachers in moving from isolated implementation to confident collaboration. Here’s how it scaffolds that journey:

STAGE	FOCUS	HOW COLLABORATION EMERGES
Adoption	Learning to use ICT tools and lesson plans	Members discuss plans and ask others for advice
Adaption	Customising and reflecting on teaching	Teachers share challenges, co-create resources, and request feedback
Infusion	Modelling and mentoring	Experienced members guide others in the community
Transformation	Leading and innovating	Members drive new ideas, run events, and contribute best practices

 

In this journey, collaboration becomes the engine that drives professional learning forward—not as an extra, but as the method.

 

 

 

Why This Community-Based Collaboration Matters

According to IRIS Connect, a global leader in teacher development, educators grow best when they can connect, share, and observe each other’s progress—especially in safe, feedback-rich spaces (IRIS Connect, 2023).

That’s what the ICT in Education Teacher Academy enables:

• A place to ask real questions—and get responses from teachers in similar settings

• A way to observe what’s working in other services and reflect on your own

• A support system that grows with you as your confidence and capability increase

So if you’ve been wondering how to collaborate with other teachers in a way that feels meaningful, manageable, and growth-oriented—this is where that journey can begin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Ways to Embed Collaborative Learning in ECE

Collaborative learning involves children learning in pairs or small groups through different learning activities. It is student-centric and provides children with a sense of autonomy over their educational process. It also builds the communication and social skills of children while increasing their motivation and engagement in group activities. Collaboration in early childhood education is important because when children share joint attention in activities this process provides a significant cognitive challenge in itself.

 

Studies have also indicated that those who favour ICT are likely to value collaborative working, enquiry and decision-making by children. This is one of the reasons why positively encouraging collaborative learning is a key principle in teaching ICT capability in early childhood education.

 

 

Planning in Early Childhood Education

The use of technology in preschool activities, looking at computers in particular, offers a rich range of possibilities for collaborative learning in the zone of proximal development.

Therefore, the best organisational strategies for the early years setting should be at the most basic level to be able to make computers more a part of the general experience of play and dialogue alongside the writing area, the modelling, the books and play equipment.

“It means making the computer accessible for use in a range of contexts, both collaboratively and singly, with an adult and without an adult, in the same way as any Early Years activity might be designed to maximise learning opportunities.”  - Allan, Potter, Sharp & Turvey

 

 

 

 

 

Issues in Collaborative Learning

Computer-based activities actually promote collaborative learning more than any other classroom activity. The computer screen is more public than a page of writing and has a natural tendency to bring young children together to share ideas and to discuss what they are they doing on the computer. However, it is important to bear in mind that a further difficulty is the collaborative nature of ICT. For example, when children use ICT in meaningful contexts it is a practical experience for them and this sometimes makes it hard to separate out the individual contributions to a joint project.

 

In addition, some pairings can lead to an unequal sharing of responsibility or effort. Pairs may have included keyboard hoggers at times while in other instances, there may be those who lack confidence or experience. They could be afraid to expose their perceived inadequacy to public scrutiny.

 

 

 

What is the Solution?