Sportsmanship is a skill that is learned not only on the field or within your child’s game of choice but also at the dinner table. Sportsmanship can be explicitly taught to children as respectful behavior under pressure.

Start with a positive self-concept. A strong sense of who they are not only individually but within the family, they are important. Sitting around a kitchen table as the seasons move into years, talking with their family, our children begin to get a picture of who they are. They test out theories on their family that will influence their actions, interactions and reactions. With the help of dinner time conversations they begin to develop social skills.

Dinner time conversation gives children a place to communicate, and get help resolving conflicts positively and solving problems collaboratively. They learn how to celebrate success and manage disappointment. They begin to develop leadership skills, positively resolve conflicts, and to respect others through words, it is through the quiet conversations within the security of family where they begin to build appreciation of themselves and others.

Parents can promote good sportsmanship through conversations around the following topics:
• No matter what the sport or activity, the number 1 thing is that everyone is having fun; the game should be enjoyable and rewarding for all.
• Talk about cooperation and fair play over competition.
• Discuss rules of the game and why it is important to abide by those rules.
• Encourage your child to support all players on their team.
• How do we as parents control emotions in frustrating situations
• Chat about how they like to be treated and how we treat coaches, teammates, and opponents with respect and avoiding ridicule and sarcasm.
• Use moments from life, the game to teach about being a good (I was really proud of the way you handled…)
• Give your child a chance to talk about consequences when poor sportsmanship is displayed.
• Up-lift examples of good sportsmanship for your child. An example is worth a thousand words.
As your child continues to move within larger communities they will take with them these simple sportsmanship skills you taught around the dinner table. These lessons will help them relate to others more effectively.
R.R.Cratty