Q: How can I help my daughter become a better loser?
Skills
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No one likes to lose, but it is important for young children to learn how to accept loss without feeling bitter or bad about themselves. Begin by acknowledging your child’s feelings and let her know that it is okay to feel disappointed, sad, or angry when she loses. Explain that while it is okay to have these feelings, it is not okay to get angry at the people she is playing with. Emphasize the importance of having fun and trying your best, and make sure your child understands that she cannot win all the time. A great way to encourage effort and fun over winning is by playing cooperative games -- non-competitive games where everyone works together rather than against each other (for e.g., “Buzz” by Peaceable Kingdom and “Obstacles” by Eeboo).
Jennie Ito, Ph.D.
Child Development Expert
Jennie Ito is a mother of two and a child development consultant who specializes in children’s play and toys. Before becoming a consultant for LeapFrog, she was an intern at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and later worked as a content expert for the Association of Children’s Museum’s “Playing for Keeps” Play Initiative. Jennie earned her doctorate degree in developmental psychology at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada.