Good sportsmanship in kids

With the March holidays around the corner, your kid may be getting more engaged in their weekly football training or swimming classes. Playing sports is not only a good avenue for fun and exercise, it can also act as a platform for teaching your child the value of sportsmanship. Use this opportunity to instill this admirable quality in your kid.

Instill a sense of good sportsmanship in your kids

Kids of this generation are infamously known for throwing tantrums when they lose a game, make bad grades or don't get as much recognition as other kids.

Teachings kids to have good sportsmanship is imperative for their futures as adults. The younger kids are, the more responsive they are to character teaching and training. Take advantage of these tender years, and impart to them the admirable quality of good sportsmanship.

Here are some tips to get you started preparing your child to achieve good attitudes about competing with others.

In good sportsmanship: Make it real

Today it's only losing a game. Tomorrow it may be losing a promotion and watching another colleague get the better-paying position in the workplace. Losing and winning are all a part of reality. It is not just as aspect of fun and games, but a part of everyday life. Remind your kids that as adults, they will win and lose as well.

Point out a mess-up or loss in a famous athlete's career. Seeing someone that is well-known dealing with losses help children cope better with losses in their own lives. Don't shelter your kids from losing, it is better they learn how to be a gracious loser while they are young than to refuse to be one when they are an adult.

In good sportsmanship: Focus on improvement, not winning

If the main goal of the activity or game your child is involved in is winning, he will end up being disappointed numerous times. Instead, aim to direct your child's focus on improving a certain skill in each activity in which he participates.

If he is playing soccer, you could focus on the art of kicks. As these skills improve, work on improving passes. If the child succeeded in those areas, than he was successful, win or lose.

In good sportsmanship: Be an example

Your kids are watching your reactions in the home and with friends. They see your expression on your face when someone else is nominated to the position you desired to hold.

They intently listen to the inflections in your voice as you casually announce someone else got the promotional raise at work. Kids need to see their parents effectively live out being a gracious loser or winner.

In good sportsmanship: Encourage a heart of thankfulness

Teach kids to be thankful that they have abilities to compete. Not everyone is able to run races with two strong legs. Not everyone is able to swim laps around the pool. Encouraging thankfulness in the hearts of kids helps prevent them from becoming proud, boastful winners.

In good sportsmanship: Don't compare your kids

Kids face comparisons and criticisms outside the home. Provide a haven in your home through praising each child's special skills and abilities.

Does your daughter makes straight A's with very little study, yet your son spends hours trying to digest a concept and only pulls off B's? Applaud both of them for their victories and efforts.

Through training, encouragement and leadership, you can help your kids to be a shining example of good sportsmanship, win OR lose!

Written by

theAsianparent

Parenting tipsgood sportsmanshipteach valueskids sportsmanshipkids values