Dear Parents & Guardians,
In February we will be working on the character lesson: SPORTSMANSHIP.
Good sportsmanship is when individuals, teammates, opponents, coaches and officials treat each other with respect.
Children learn the basics of sportsmanship form the adults in their lives, especially their parents, coaches and teachers. It is important that children learn how to persevere and behave with dignity when they participate in sports – whether they win or lose at something.
Here are some guidelines regarding children and sportsmanship based on age:
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With children aged 3 and 4: they are learning that all sports have rules. Teach them that following the rules is the most important part of sportsmanship.
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With children ages 5 and 6: they are learning about right and wrong as it applies to sports. Teach them that sportsmanship is not about winning or losing, but playing fair.
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With children ages 7 to 9: they are learning to recognise their own individual skills and abilities. Teach them how to take pride in their accomplishments and in improving their skills instead of focusing on winning or losing.
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With children ages 10 to 14: they are learning that real athletes have good values and ethics in sports. Teach them the importance of showing respect towards their teammates, opponents, coaches and officials.
