Fostering Good Sportsmanship

Fostering Good Sportsmanship

Unless you're coaching your child's team, you
need to remember that you're the parent. Shout
words of encouragement, not directions, from the
sidelines (there is a difference!).

If you are your kid's coach, don't expect too
much out of your own child. Don't be harder on him
or her than on anyone else on the team, but don't
play favorites either.

Keep your comments positive. Don't bad-mouth
coaches, players, or game officials. If you have a
serious concern about the way that games or
practices are being conducted, or if you're upset
about other parents' behavior, discuss it privately
with your child's coach or with a league official.

When you're talking to your child after a
competition, it's important not to dwell on who won
or lost. Instead, you might ask your child, "How did
you feel you did during the game?"

If your child mentions that he
or she didn't do well at a particular skill, like throwing
or catching, offer to work on these skills with your
child before the next game.

Applaud good plays no matter who makes them.

Set a good example with your courteous behavior
toward the parents of kids on the other team.
Congratulate them when their kids win.

Remember that it's your child, not you, who is
playing. Don't push your child into a sport because
it's what you enjoyed. As your child gets older, let
your child choose the sport he or she wants to play,
and let him or her decide the level of commitment he
or she wants to make to it.

Keep your perspective. It's just a game. Even if
your child's team loses every game of the season it's
unlikely to ruin his or her life or chances of success.

Look for examples of good sportsmanship in
professional athletes and point them out to your kid.
Talk about the bad examples, too, and why they
upset you.

Finally, don't forget to have fun. Even if your child
isn't the star, enjoy the game while you're thinking of
all the benefits your child is gaining - new skills, new
friends, and attitudes that can help him or her all
through life

from Kids Health for Parents