| W.L. Morse Parent Tips
Teaching
Children Sportsmanship
Team sports are great for children.
They provide physical exercise and help build self-esteem and
leadership skills. Sports are
competitive and there’s nothing like winning, but it is also important
to be a good loser.
Certain
character traits must be learned, and good sportsmanship is one of them.
We cannot take it for granted that our kids will learn such
traditional values without our help and instruction.
Therefore, we must teach the following sportsmanship essentials.
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Commit
yourself to following the rules of the game
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Share
in the responsibility of the team
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Play
fair
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Follow
the coach’s directions, and accept his or her calls
-
Respect
the players of the other team
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When
you lose, shake hands with the winners and congratulate them.
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If
you win, be proud of your team’s efforts but don’t gloat.
Being
a good sport includes having a positive attitude, empathy and respect for
others, setting a good example, and being a leader.
If your child plays sports, model the correct attitude and teach
him or her to be gracious.
It’s
a no-lose situation!
Discussing Reading with Your Child
The following questions are a good way for
parents or teachers to encourage children to discuss what they have been reading.
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What is
your purpose in reading the book?
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Do you
enjoy reading about that subject?
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How do you
predict the book will end?
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How would
you end the story?
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If you do
not like the book, will you quit reading or press on?
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What is
your opinion about the book?
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Would you
encourage others to read it?
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What are
your favorite subjects?
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Who is your
favorite author?
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If you had
a choice, would you rather read or have someone read to you?
Charity Begins at Home: Teaching Kids to Give
The holiday season is
about giving not only tangible gifts, but also gifts of spirit, time, and self.
Here are some suggestions to encourage children to become selfless, giving
people.
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Emphasize to your children that kindness and selflessness are valuable
traits.
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Give children small jobs around the house so they can earn money to buy gifts
for others.
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Model an example of charity. Children
watch their parents for clues about how to behave.
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Ask your children to help prepare and distribute gift baskets for the needy.
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Take your children to visit nursing homes and homebound neighbors and
relatives.
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Help your children give. When
you go shopping, allow them to choose and help pay for a gift for the Toys For Tots
campaign, or some other organized effort to help the less fortunate.
Charity begins at home, but it doesnt end there. It is never too soon for children to learn the
value of giving.
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