Virtual teamwork: How to equip your kid with this New Normal skill

There’s no need to reiterate about the importance of team skills in the world today. Mastering how to work as part of a team, how to put a team together from peers, and how to lead a team while sticking to common goals – are all important – and need to be learnt during school years. The pandemic has upset the classroom structure. While virtual classes have ensured the continuity of learning, working in groups has suffered with students logging in individually. Here are a few fun activities which would seem like games, but help kids build virtual team skills.  

The virtual Exciting Sponge game  
This title caught the attention of netizens as soon as it was launched. Exciting Sponge is a storytelling game. In the virtual version, your child and his or her friends log into a video call, where each team member tells a story about any object within arm’s length. If they can’t find inspiration, they have to tell a story about a default object, which is a sponge. In the bid, kids stretch their imagination, develop better communication skills, and try their level best to entertain team mates.  

The DIY and home experiment challenge  
There are two ways to go about this challenge. Choose the same materials, for example, cardboard, sequins, and felt, and set the same deadline. Everyone has to create and present a craft object that they have made themselves, and that is usable. The other option works better with older kids. Distribute ingredients and procedure of a home experiment via email, and then regroup on video call to see the results. Once kids get the hang of it, divide them into pairs and make it a competition between teams.  

The virtual critic’s club  
Turn the solitary activities of reading story books and watching movies into a team one. Even a small group of 4 or 5 kids are enough to start a club. The principle of the virtual book or movie club is similar to a real one. A common book is read at a similar pace by all members, or a movie is watched on the same day. Then they all log into a video call to express their opinion about it. Encourage kids to come up with suggestions for the next book or movie.