When it comes to letting children win, most parents are worried that it will harm their child in some way. However, experts agree that if you occasionally let your child win at a game, you probably won’t be doing any long term damage. As long as your child doesn’t know that you are letting him or her win that is!
There are several reasons that letting your child win too often, or letting him or her know that you are changing the rules for him or her is a bad idea. First, your child will learn that winning is more important than the rules. Secondly, your child will never learn the skill of being a good loser – something that everyone has to learn at some point during their lives.
It’s important to note, however, that allowing your child some leeway, or making a few changes to the rules together, before the game starts, is not the same as letting him or her win. It’s okay to let your child start a few spaces ahead of you, or to let your child have an extra turn – after all, he or she is younger, and doesn’t know the game as well. It’s important to agree to these changes ahead of time however, so that your child is still playing by the rules.
Play games that are fun, rather than those that encourage winning, and look for games that are based on luck rather than skill. That will level the playing field, and allow your child to discover that games are fun – even if you don’t win!
There are several reasons that letting your child win too often, or letting him or her know that you are changing the rules for him or her is a bad idea. First, your child will learn that winning is more important than the rules. Secondly, your child will never learn the skill of being a good loser – something that everyone has to learn at some point during their lives.
It’s important to note, however, that allowing your child some leeway, or making a few changes to the rules together, before the game starts, is not the same as letting him or her win. It’s okay to let your child start a few spaces ahead of you, or to let your child have an extra turn – after all, he or she is younger, and doesn’t know the game as well. It’s important to agree to these changes ahead of time however, so that your child is still playing by the rules.
Play games that are fun, rather than those that encourage winning, and look for games that are based on luck rather than skill. That will level the playing field, and allow your child to discover that games are fun – even if you don’t win!