Teaching article
Group roles can change as the project changes
Distribute useful contributions without fixing children into labels.
A participant who begins by sketching may later want to test a join or explain the plan. Treat roles as useful, voluntary contributions rather than fixed labels about who is the artist, leader or helper.
A child can switch from drawing to testing after a check-in.
Make switching roles possible
Review roles as the task changes. A useful contribution can shift from planning to making or observing without labelling the child's identity.
List needed actions. Invite role choices. Allow changes.
Do not assign roles by gender or assumed ability. Can roles change?
Offer paired roles.
Resources
- Welcome to Our Game Cards — Use the invitation prompts to practise welcoming and respectful responses.
Further reading
Read next
- A shared project benefits from one small decision before making
- One shared tool need not stop the whole project
- Conversation cards should allow a comfortable pass
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