Parents: Sportsmanship—not just for sports

It’s important to teach your child to be a good sport, but don’t limit it to athletics. Good sportsmanship is also important in life. And you play a key role in helping build this respectful behavior at home so your child can be successful in school.

To encourage sportsmanship on and off the field:

• Emphasize respect for others—family members at home and teachers, the principal and others at school.

• Model the behavior you want to see from your child, such as praising a younger sibling for completing a difficult project.

• Reinforce values such as integrity. Make it your “family policy.”

• Teach your child to treat classmates and friends with kindness.

• Remind your child to enjoy competitive activities—and that it’s not always important to win.

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