IN Pine-Richland Spring 2019 | Page 11

INDUSTRY INSIGHT
EARLY EDUCATION
SPONSORED CONTENT
All Fun
and
Games
(Sportsmanship)
V
ery young children don’t have the abstract thinking
ability or emotional development to understand
competitive sports. They generally prefer motor
activities and games with simple rules instead. As
children get older, they become more interested
in organized sports. At The Goddard School®, we understand
that sportsmanship includes giving your best effort,
accepting defeat gracefully, playing fairly and compromising.
We live in a competitive culture, and it’s easy for children to
develop a winner-takes-all mindset. This attitude isn’t good
for a child’s character development or mental health. Sooner
or later we all fail, and it’s important for children to learn
early on that making mistakes and coming in last are okay.
Children who learn these ideas early are more likely to show
positive leadership skills at school and in the community.
Goddard School teachers recommend you start with simple
things like the following:
RESEARCHERS SAY
LEARNING THROUGH
PLAY IS THE ONLY WAY.
> FREE REGISTRATION!*
4 Playing games like catch, hide and seek or tag, which
require everyone to take turns;
4 Encouraging your children to try again when they are
having trouble mastering a skill; CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP • 724-778-9999
PITTSBURGH (DOWNTOWN) • 412-515-1997
4 Choosing teams and coaches carefully. Coaches
should teach good sportsmanship and use a patient,
calm approach; GoddardSchool.com
4 Being a good sport yourself. Show good
sportsmanship at your child’s games;
4 Congratulating others on their successes.
*Offer valid for new Goddard families at the above location only. Some program restrictions apply. Not valid with any other offer.
The Goddard Schools are operated by independent franchisees under a license agreement with Goddard Systems, Inc.
Programs and ages may vary. Goddard Systems, Inc. program is AdvancED accredited. © Goddard Systems Inc. 2016.
This Industry Insight was written by Dina & Matt Speranza.
They are the owners of The Goddard School® located at 8065 Rowan Road in Cranberry. Goddard offers both full- and part-time
infant/preschool/kindergarten programs. For more information, visit www.goddardschool.com or call 724.778.9999.
PINE-RICHLAND
❘
SPRING 2019
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