How to Teach Your Toddler Competition Etiquette
Teaching your toddler to compete is a challenge in that you want them to excel, but you do not want them to be a poor loser or winner. That fine line between confidence and arrogance is even more pronounced in a toddler, as they are just beginning to form those traits. Here is how to cultivate a winning attitude in your toddler, without sacrificing manners.
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Instructions
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The first step towards developing good competition manners in your toddler is to have them compete. You will want your toddler to start off with simple games such as tag, hide and go seek and other childhood games. Try to involve as many other children as possible.
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Once you have assembled a number of children together to play a game, sit everyone down and explain the rules. Make sure that the rules are clear and that no child has questions.
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Inevitably, your toddler will win one of the games. When they do, make sure that they understand how to be a good winner. Make sure that they congratulate all the other children on a good game and that they refrain from bragging.
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When your child loses for the first time, watch their reaction. If they start to pout, pull them to the side and explain to them that it is not good to be a sore loser. Give them the chance to recover and explain how one should react when they lose.
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If your child repeats these mistakes, have them sit out the next rounds as punishment. Having to watch the children play without them will teach a powerful lesson. If it takes several rounds of sitting out to learn the lesson, so be it.
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The most important part of these lessons is for your toddler to understand that the game is not about winning and losing. Giving maximum effort and doing the best they can do is what is important.
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Tips & Warnings
Have your toddler compete.
Include as many children as possible.
Use timeouts from the game to correct inappropriate behavior.
Teach winning and losing carefully.
Do not ignore behavior even once.
Keep your eyes open for any opportunity to teach a lesson.
- Photo Credit Julie Southern
