How to Teach Your Child to Not Be a Sore Loser

Everyone likes to win, but it should not be everything. Teaching your child to win and lose gracefully is the best way to ensure that they are enjoying themselves as well as not embarrassing themselves at the same time. People will remember how you and your child act for years to come, so make sure you both handle winning and losing gracefully. Since children are not equipped with the skills to not be a sore loser, it is important to teach them.

Instructions

    • 1

      Check yourself first. Of course your child is going to watch how you take the news of winning or losing and react to how you act. Set a good example for your child and gracefully accept either a win or a loss. The most important thing is to make sure your child is enjoying what he is doing. Never say anything negative to your child when he does lose, as this will affect his self-esteem for years to come.

    • 2

      Talk about good sportsmanship with your child. Use different mottos to help teach your child the right mindset, including:
      It doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's how you play the game.
      Winning isn't everything.
      If you can't play nicely, don't play at all.
      What people remember most is how you play the game.
      You're a success just because you tried.

      Repeat one of these mottos often to let it sink into your child's mind. Also, if you catch your child not practicing good sportsmanship, call her out on it and ask why she did or said what she did.

    • 3

      Be ready to bring attention to examples of how not to be a sore loser. Look out for moments that can be examples of either good sportsmanship or bad sportsmanship. For example, if you spot a child being either a sore loser or bragging too much about his win, show your child how that other child looks to other people. When your child sees it firsthand in someone else, he's likely to not want to repeat that same behavior.

    • 4

      Offer encouragement. Whether your child wins or loses, you should always be a supportive parent. Never yell at her about losing, as this will only make her feel horrible about herself. Then your child will feel that if she loses she's letting you down, which is not a healthy way to live. Tell your child that she played great and you are proud of her whether she wins or loses.

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