Winning Isn’t Everything: Teaching Fair Game Play

Let's be honest, no one sits down to play a game to lose...and there is nothing wrong with that. From a child's perspective, winning a game can instill self-confidence. Nevertheless, we can't win all the time and learning how to play and lose with dignity is every bit as important as learning how to win with respect.

Here are a few tips for playing games with the whole family:

• Have fun with the process of the game. If the game cannot be enjoyed through its duration and is only being played to win, then it is probably not a game worth playing.
• Let your children know that while you are proud of them when they win, that does not mean you love them less when they lose.
• Teach the little one not to gloat when they win. Again, everyone should be proud of a tot that can win a round of Go Fish, but it's important to remember not to laugh at the losers.
• It's okay to allow your little one a few ‘advantages', but always be clear that cheating is not permissible. Even in a small context, the concept of proper ‘gamesmanship' for boys and girls is one that transcends generations and helps us grow into adults with respect for our fellow human beings.
• Teach them the value of learning from a loss. The best thing about falling down is learning how to get up. Simple games provide this in a metaphorical sense and allow children the opportunity to learn and grow.

By Chris Giardino