The majority of children love playing sports but they don’t always play fair. Youngsters can be very competitive and this may translate in...
The majority of children love playing sports but they don’t always play fair. Youngsters can be very competitive and this may translate into foul play. If combative behavior gets out of hand, it can cause friction with their coaches and teammates. Also, playing only to win can suck the joy out of sport and turn it into a stressful activity for your child.
Learning to follow the rules, respect other players, and lose gracefully are all important life skills that a child needs to master early on. They’ll also have a nicer time while playing and a better chance of making friends. Here are some things to try to teach your child good sportsmanship.
Encourage them to accept losing and learn from it
Knowing how to get over failure is an integral part of participating in sports. You should explain that everyone loses sometimes and that this doesn’t reflect on them as a person. You can also give them an example of a situation where you experienced failure and took something away from it.
Talk to them in ways that highlight the joy of playing and encourage them to work on their skills. Instead of harboring rivalries with others, try to redirect their competitiveness into improving their own abilities. Also, motivate them to congratulate the other team and treat them with respect.
Teach them how to stay humble when they win
Is your child gloating after a victory? Most children do but there are ways to channel this into a healthy sense of pride. If your kid loves sports, the chances are they have a favorite sports star. It may be a good idea to point out how their role model acts after matches. Famous athletes pay respect to their opponents no matter if they win or lose, and this can be great for the child to see.
In addition, remind them of how they felt when the opposing team did the same (or if that hasn’t happened, help them picture the tables turning).
Highlight the importance of playing by the rules
To experience the true joy of playing, it’s crucial for children to follow the rules. According to the team at Uptown Jungle in Avondale, AZ, abiding by the rules is also important when it comes to staying safe during physical activitley. Encourage the child to listen to their coaches and hear out their feedback whenever necessary. Also, explain that a victory is meaningless if you won by cheating.
Motivate them to be team players
With team sports, it’s easy to place blame on teammates. If one member is seen as less capable than others, this may even lead to bullying. If you’ve noticed this type of behavior, it’s vital to explain that everyone learns at a different pace and needs to be given a chance. Encourage the child to actively help those who are falling behind because that’s what a true team player does.
On the other end of the spectrum, children may be particularly combative toward those who they see as more skilled or those who threaten to take over their position on the team. Emphasize the fact that they should be striving to improve their own performance without comparing themselves with others.
Lead by example
Even the best words of advice will fall on deaf ears if you don’t practice what you preach. Parents are a child’s biggest role models, so they’ll always spot it when your actions don’t align with your words. Teach them the value of team spirit, integrity, and grace through your own behavior on a daily basis.
