It is perfectly natural to always want the very best for our children, and it is certainly not uncommon for parents to go to great lengths to ensure that their kids have every advantage as they grow up. Cooperation is one of the most common skills parents focus on teaching kids at a very early age, but there should be equal attention paid to developing leadership skills as well. Of course, there is a very fine line between leading and dictating, so a tailored approach to teaching leadership is often most ideal.

“During the early stages of development, play is the best way to promote cooperative behavior while providing the opportunity to cultivate leadership skills,” said Arturo Alvarez Demalde. “Just like in the military, leaders can be developed through a number of cooperative activities in which the most vocal and supportive participants are able to get the most out of those around them.”

The belief in this concept has been reinforced by Kareem Elsirafy, who noted that the games children play are great for developing leadership skills. While some children will be naturally suited for leadership, other children can benefit from positive reinforcement from their parents. After a youth sporting event, for example, a parent may explain to their child how to be supportive of teammates who made a mistake or how to set a good example during athletic competition. These behaviors can even be modeled or practiced at home, with parents providing examples of the kinds of communication strategies used by those in leadership positions.