Winning Lessons for Little Athletes

Thanks to their large supply of energy and low dose of discernment where balls, mats, or running is concerned, most kids enjoy some kind of athletic activity. This is a great thing because, not only do they get needed exercise, but kids also learn valuable life lessons on the sporting field.

Sports Can Help Develop Godly Character

When you praise your child, avoid talking up the score or the trophy. Winning kids already know you are proud of the accomplishment. Instead, point out examples of good sportsmanship, team leadership, dedication, perseverance, etc. Make sure your child knows you are proud not only when he wins, but when he puts forth a good effort and excels in all areas of the game, not just scoring.

Use Sports To Teach Kids About Priorities

Since kids typically don’t want to miss practices or games, use these occasions to help them learn how and where to focus their efforts. I like to prioritize commitments in the following order: God, family, work/school, other commitments, social time with friends. This means that we don’t join sporting leagues with games every Sunday morning (I am okay with occasionally missing church for a sporting event, but not more that once a quarter). It also means that homework needs to be done before going to practice. Family includes both family events and family obligations, meaning chores need to be done consistently if the child wishes to keep playing.

Handle Winning And Losing The Same Way

Obviously it is exciting to win and disappointing to lose. However, too many kids don’t know how to win or lose well. We can help this by basically treating both the same. After the game, let your child share her feelings and experience them with her, as long as she keeps them healthy. If she is excited about a win, be happy with her. If she is depressed over a loss, let her know you sympathize. Make sure, however, that she keeps her emotions within the realm of good sportsmanship. Bragging, weeping, or angrily criticizing other players, coaches, or refs is not acceptable.

Analyze the game and talk about what went well and where there is room for improvement. Keep it light and short to avoid launching into a lecture.

As we discussed before, praise the skills she used on the field that don’t clearly contribute to the score, such as leadership, encouragement, and good sportsmanship.

 

With these tips, your kids will have a great time both on the field and off.

Have a Family Game Night

Right now, before you make any other plans, go pull out a few board games and set them somewhere you will see later tonight so you don't forget to have a family game night.

Once you get going, everyone has fun with board games. However, to many of us, the idea doesn't sound very appealing until the fun actually starts. It is also such a simple idea that many of us forget to do it. I know I have games that are nearly new because I so often make bigger, more elaborate plans for family fun that the game boxes remain unopened.

However, over the past few weeks my daughter and I have been making a point of playing together more often. What fun we've had!

Kids learn important life skills through games:
~How to take turns
~How to lose a turn with good grace
~How to be a good sport when winning and losing
~How to be fair
~How to follow directions
~How to follow a sequence
~Critical thinking
~Counting
~How to be an encourager
~Problem solving
~Time management
~Strategy
~Money management (in some games such as Monopoly)
~Fine motor skills (especially when holding a hand of cards
~How to deal with disappointment
~Self confidence
~Communication skills, including intergenerational communication skills
~And more.

Plus, as a parent, games give you the chance to check on your child’s skills and help you assess how he is developing. Pay attention to how your child plays and gently guide him in the areas where he needs to grow. If when moving his piece around the board he tends to skip over spots or doesn’t count correctly, help him move his piece back to where he started so he can try again. If he cries when he doesn’t win, help him learn how to use words to express his unhappiness. Teach him to say, “I am sad that I didn’t win, but I am happy for you.”

You can also use family game night as a chance to talk to your kids about their lives, the issues they are facing and how they feel in a relaxed setting, especially with preteens and teens who may not be as chatty as they once were.

Enjoy the time to bond with your family, practice skills, and have a ton of fun.