Thoughts for the Week:

Games are one of the ways children begin to understand about the reasons for rules and limits. When children first learn the rules of a game, they sometimes become very rigid about them and won't allow them to be changed or altered in any way. This can be difficult when older children play with younger children who can't yet follow rules and who just want to "play." It's no wonder that even a simple game of tag can sometimes end in arguments and tears!

It can be hard for some children to lose at games. Young children, especially, may feel that losing means more than just losing the game: It might mean losing love because winners always seem to get the most attention. Helping our children cope with the disappointment of losing is an important job for grownups, and it can be an easier one if we let them know from the beginning that win or lose, we still love them for trying and for doing the best they can.