Civility Thought of the Day - Sportsmanship

Begin a family discussion on sportsmanship. Help kids to understand the importance of being a good winner as well as how to lose gracefully. Following are thoughts that can serve as reminders for kids and adults. Read this together. Discuss it often. Post it on the frig or in the kids' room as a reminder.

A Real Winner**

When competing with others,
If you don't win
And find you're in the place
You hadn't planned to be in
The polite and courteous thing to do
Is congratulate those who competed with you
And although this is honorable and socially correct
Even better, it's a sign of your own self-respect.



The Spirit of Victors**

You may have been taught how to act when you lose
But here's an even bigger piece of news
There's a more important lesson that can be learned
By players, opponents, and all rivals concerned.
The lesson is this, and should always be
That a real victor wins respectfully.
They are pleased with themselves and show gratitude
They don't display arrogance or behavior that's rude
They consider opponents and how they might feel
And know that acting Big-headed is less than ideal
To Real Victors, a win is beyond the best score
Real Victors know winners can also be sore
So embrace the spirit like real victors ~ have fun
This way, everyone is victorious in the long run.

**Excerpts from my next book:

"Will You Help Me With My Manners, Please?"

& Other Soft Skills

The Teenager's Guide to Character Development

 

{Coming Soon}