BEING A GOOD SPORT
Nobody likes a poor sport. Sure, there is good-natured “trash talk” and teasing, but sometimes things can go too far. Kids must learn what it means to be a good winner and a good loser. Whining about the outcome of a game, claiming a game was “unfair”, or becoming angry when losing are signs of not being a good sport.
All children, especially children who struggle with social skills, must learn good sportsmanship to foster better peer relationships. Developmentally, younger children will struggle with the idea of winning and losing. Preschool children won’t necessarily grasp this concept which is okay. By grade school age children should demonstrate good sportsmanship.
How can you help your child be a better sport?
1. Praise your child’s efforts during sports or games, not necessarily the outcome of the game. Make sure to praise your child for good sportsmanship. Encourage your child to show positive interactions with team-members, children she/he is playing with and members of opposing teams.
2. Model good sportsmanship. Cheer all players doing well, congratulate the winner and acknowledge that officials may not always make calls everyone will like. Make sure you say “good game” whether you win or lose.
3. Help your child to identify and understand feelings. It may be frustrating or sad to lose a game. Make sure your child knows it is ok to feel these feelings, but it is not okay to take out hard feelings on other people.
4. Don’t let your child win. It might be easier short-term to throw a game so your child wins and you don’t have to deal with a strong reaction, but long-term it is not helpful for your child’s emotional growth.
Keep practicing playing games and the associated social skills. Continue to model good social skills while playing games and watching sporting events. Praise your child for being kind and respectful. Point out good examples of sportsmanship.
_*some information taken from verywellfamily.com