Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Early Childhood Practice Exam

What would be the most beneficial approach to developing collaborative skills among preschoolers?

1. Encouraging independent play with minimal interaction

2. Providing structured group activities that require teamwork

3. Having children compete for individual recognition

4. Limiting interactions to teacher-led directions only

The correct answer is: Providing structured group activities that require teamwork

Providing structured group activities that require teamwork is the most beneficial approach to developing collaborative skills among preschoolers. This method facilitates direct interaction between children, allowing them to engage, communicate, and learn from one another in a shared context. When preschoolers work together on structured tasks, such as building a project, playing a game, or collaborating on a creative activity, they practice essential social skills like negotiation, turn-taking, and problem-solving. Structured activities provide a clear framework where children can explore their roles within a team, understand the importance of cooperation, and experience the joy of achieving a common goal together. This foundation is vital for their social-emotional development and lays the groundwork for more complex collaborative skills as they grow older. In contrast, encouraging independent play with minimal interaction does not promote the necessary social exchanges that foster collaboration. Competing for individual recognition can discourage cooperation and create an environment where children prioritize personal success over teamwork. Limiting interactions to teacher-led directions only restricts children’s opportunities to practice and develop their own collaborative skills, as it does not allow for peer-to-peer interaction and cooperation.