Cooperative Puzzle Team Challenge

A large-piece floor puzzle with 6-12 pieces (age-appropriate for your child)

Pick a floor puzzle your child knows or one with a picture they love.

Dump the pieces out and spread them face-up together.

Place the first piece yourself: "I found this corner piece! Let me put it here."

Point to an obvious next piece: "Your turn! Where do you think this one goes?"

Alternate turns, helping each other find the right spots.

When they get stuck, offer a hint rather than doing it for them: "Try turning it around."

When the final piece clicks in, celebrate big: "We built this together! What a team!"

Choose a puzzle slightly below their skill level so the social component doesn't compete with the cognitive challenge.

If they grab all the pieces and want to do it alone, let them. You can take turns on the next round.

Try this with two kids — give each child a portion of the pieces and they have to work together.

Emphasize the "we" language: "We found it!" "We're almost done!" This builds a cooperative mindset.