I Can Share

Collaborative art activities promote turn-taking, sharing behaviours, and the understanding that working together creates something better than working alone.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Set up a large collaborative mural space where multiple children can work simultaneously. Gather children and introduce the project: 'Today we're going to create art TOGETHER! We'll share our supplies and our space to make something beautiful as a team.'

Discuss sharing strategies before beginning: 'What if you need a crayon someone else is using?' Practise the phrase: 'Can I use that when you're done?' Discuss what to do if drawing spaces overlap: 'We can add to each other's pictures to make them even better!'

Release children to the mural with a theme in mind (rainbow world, garden, ocean, etc.). Circulate and facilitate sharing: 'Marcus needs the blue—can you pass it when you're finished?' Celebrate cooperative moments publicly: 'Look how Maya and Jordan are sharing that space so nicely!'

If conflicts arise, use them as teaching moments: 'It looks like you both want the red crayon. What could we do?' Guide children toward solutions rather than imposing them.

Conclude by admiring the finished mural together: 'Look what we made by sharing and working together! No one could have made something this amazing alone!'

Educator tip

Model positive sharing language throughout: 'Can I use that after you?' 'Thank you for sharing!' 'Would you like to use this when I'm done?' Children learn from hearing these phrases in context.

Assessment

Observe and note: sustained engagement, sensory responses, early vocalisations, and attachment behaviours. Document using the Characteristics of Effective Learning framework (Playing and Exploring). Observe frequency of sharing behaviours, quality of collaboration, conflict resolution attempts, and artistic contribution to the group work.

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