Dear Parents,
Andrew Luck, quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts can often be heard telling players on the opposing team compliments such as, “Nice play buddy.” or “Good hit.” When it comes to exemplary examples of sportsmanship, this professional player is a great example of sportsmanship.
Many students in the elementary level begin to explore sports, dance, robotics teams and other competitive fields. With it can come many emotions and ideas as to what competition looks like? It is our responsibility as adults to model the same admirable behavior as Mr. Luck.
In the classroom competition does arise, it can be a friendly game of math fact baseball, students may time themselves or try to see how many countries they can memorize on the map without looking. For example, currently they are learning and practicing basketball skills in physical education. As we travel along, we are constantly discussing the responsibility we have to help others be the best they can be and to help each other. Often we will ask them to point out specific efforts for a student to be acknowledged or ask them how they felt helping another student finish a task that is difficult for the other student. Within this lies a golden key to good sportsmanship.
A few ways you can help your child with sportsmanship are:
- When your child participates in a competitive activity, acknowledge how your child and their team mates worked together. Also, talk about great things the other team did as well.
- When you are at an event, make sure that you are showing good sportsmanship as a fan. If you take your child to an event, talk about and model how to be a good sportsman in regard to the other team. For example, booing the other team is an example of poor fan sportsmanship.
- Recognize that all players make mistakes and so do referees. This is a great time to discus with your child these factors. How do the players feel? How might the referees feel knowing after the call they may have made an error? How do they feel when this happens to them?
With guidance, your child will be the best player they can be and help others be their best on and off the competitive field.
Sincerely,
Christine