We haven’t gotten into hard core spots just yet but I can tell you from conversations with friends that there can be some tricky situations to deal with around good sportsmanship. This is not only with what happens on the playing field but between the parent spectators too.
Let’s focus on what we can teach our children about being a good sport (because I am not sure we can change the adults!)
Good Sportsmanship is defined by Kids Health as people who are playing or watching a sport and treat each other with respect. This includes players, parents, coaches, and officials.
Some examples of good sportsmanship include shaking hands, helping an opponent who may have hurt themselves, encouraging others, cheers, clapping or giving hi-fives and being respectful (that word again!) to everyone including the other team.
Here are a few good tips on teaching children to be a good sport:
*As a parent, model positive winning and losing behaviors
*Hold your head up high if you lose.
*Understand all of the ways you can win (not just the highest score)
*Practice a growth mindset
*If you win, hold your head up high but congratulate the other team.
*Learn from mistakes and do something different the next time.
*Avoid criticizing others who make mistakes.
There are also many benefits to playing sports like building teamwork, character, learning respect, discipline, inclusion, resilience, kindness, determination and more!
Cardinal Rule Press is publishing a book, Evie’s Field Day by Claire Annette Noland and illustrated by Alicia Teba that will release on May 1st. The subtitle is “More than One Way to Win” Because the honest truth is that sometimes winning looks like learning a lesson or meeting a new friend on the team and not just getting the winning score. Check out the book on Amazon or preorder it at your local bookstore today (to have it in time for Field Day!)
More on Evie’s Field Day:
Join Evie as she navigates the playground and learns about sportsmanship and the challenge of losing.
Evie loves to run, jump, hop, and win. She even has ribbons and trophies to prove it. So, when the school’s field day comes around, she is sure she will add to her winning collection. When Evie finds herself ahead of the pack, she is faced with an important decision. Does she choose the chance at a trophy or the chance to be a good friend?