Losing doesn’t make us losers. Well said, Elizabeth. When children learn how to lose they develop life skills. A hug along the way lets them know it’s okay. Elizabeth’s post is spot on. I play Sorry with children all the time, and it’s an opportunity to teach those life skills.
I have played hundreds of board and card games as the oldest child of four, as a mother and as a grandmother. In all of these activities there is a winner and often several losers. One of the truths I have observed over the years is that we have to learn how to lose. Or, more importantly, how not to be what my father always referred to as a “sore loser.”
We learn this skill slowly. Usually we “let” the littlest players win as they learn a new game. But after a while we begin to let them lose occasionally if that is how the game is going. When that happens we are sure to hear a variety of complaints, most often “that isn’t fair” or “you cheated.” No one likes the feeling of losing a game and the easiest way to stop those feelings is to blame the other…
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A Teacher's Reflections 
good lesson
Thank you.
That is probably to the MOST important lesson kids can learn in life and to lose and be a good sport about it. Let it be part of the fun. I never played games as a child but my kids did and wanted them to learn to lose gracefully. You are a good teacher to see that need.
As soon as I read Elizabeth’s post I knew how important it was to share this, and let others know that learning to losing is such an important lesson. It’s akin to kindness and giving. When I see athletes stomp off the field or throw something I feel sorry that they never learned.
Such an important lesson for everyone to learn. My grandson used to get very upset when he got “sorryed” of “troubled”, but now, he is fine because he knows that you can’t always win. Of course we never say someone lost, they just didn’t win. He will say, it’s okay grandma, I lost this time, but last time I won.
That’s wonderful to hear!
easy to win,hard to lose
Exactly!
Such an important lesson to learn…
Yes! And it starts with us. 🙂
Good reblog, Jennie. I had already left a comment on Elizabeth’s post.
Best wishes, Pete.
It hit a nerve with me, Pete, and Elizabeth said it very well. It’s so important for children to learn losing, otherwise they become spoiled and self centered adults. It’s part of kindness and sharing, too. I’ll head over to Elizabeth’s post and read your comment. Best to you, Pete.
Learning how to lose is a very important life lesson. Good share, Jennie.
Thank you, Norah. Yes, it is.
🙂
I remember the first time I played Sorry with our daughter. She had so much fun sending me back to Start.
Love it!
never too early to learn and my how appropriately timely – (!)
You’re right, and you’re right!
I was honored to have you repost my piece. Thank you so much for introducing me to a whole new batch of readers who stopped in to comment.
I’m glad many of my readers read your full post and commented! You’re very welcome, Elizabeth.
Thanks for sharing, Jennie.
It’s such an important thing to learn. The life lessons gained can make us much stronger of character than if we kept winning all the time.
You are so right, Cynthia! 🙂
You can’t always win and you won’t always lose. We need to teach children this at a young age. I often feel that parents do kids a huge disservice if they never let them lose, teach them to lose. It’s ok if your child is disappointed, upset or saddened by losing… this is part of life. wouldn’t you rather they learn to be gracious losers and learn to enjoy the process… the game than get to a point where they can’t handle losing?
Hear, hear!
Jennie, thank you for an excellent post. When children are just a bit older, chess also teaches these lessons.
Yes, it does! Thank you, Charles.
Thank you for the best lesson we can learn.
It is, Michael. Thank you!
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Thank you!