This year the 47th Super Bowl will take place at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA on Sunday, February 3, 2013. Family and friends will gather to watch the big game and cheer on their number one pick.
This is the perfect is opportunity to teach your children sportsmanship. Sportsmanship can and should be taught to children beginning at a very young age. It is only natural to think of learning about sportsmanship within the context of physical educationand athletics, but sportsmanship is universal and has applications to every aspect of our daily lives.
Sportsmanship, can be summarized in the following way: providing encouragement, being honest, playing by the rules, respecting the feelings of others,playing under control, using teamwork, and being cooperative. Good sportsmanship is when teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials treat each other with respect.
The following four steps can help your child develop sportsmanship. More information about the importance of sportsmanship and the benefits of teaching your children sportsmanship can be found by clicking on this link Developing Sportsmanship.
Step 1. Demonstrate sportsmanship-Because children learn from the examples adults provide,it is important for volunteers, coaches, teen leaders, and professionals to demonstrate sportsmanship.
Step 2. Explain what is expected-It is important to explain the policies, rules, and procedures to children and their families, and make sure everyone follows them. Review what will happen and what to expect at each of the events in which they plan to participate.
Step 3. Help children and their parents during competitive programs-Competitive programs have several "teachable moments" for developing sportsmanship. It is important
for volunteers, coaches, teen leaders, professionals, and others to keep attuned to the participants and spectators, and provide assistance in exhibiting sportsmanship as needed.
Step 4. Work with children and their parents following competitive programs-Continue to work with participants and their parents after events "to make the best better" for the future.
Shortcomings and criticisms should be handled and dealt with in private. Successes and progress should be recognized publicly. Have a follow-up meeting or meetings to celebrate successes,talk about areas forimprovement, and begin plans for the future.
Comments