04/06/2026
For many children, playing games and sports is all about having fun with family, friends and teammates. For others, it can feel a lot more intense. When they’re winning, they feel on top of the world, but when they’re losing, they feel miserable.
If your child struggles with losing, gets upset during games or finds competition overwhelming, you’re not alone. And it can leave you wondering how to respond in ways that support your child – without taking the fun out of play.
Games, sports and competition can be a great source of pleasure and pride, but challenges often occur when the focus is on winning. By taking the focus off winning, using positive reinforcement, role modelling good sportsmanship and helping your child cope with big feelings, you can help them learn how to be a good sport and work in a team.
When children have fun playing well with others, it benefits their social and emotional development, helps build their confidence and supports them to develop positive relationships. Playing sports is also beneficial for their physical and mental health. Learning to handle both winning and losing is all part of this, and an important life skill that takes time and patience.
Find out more in Triple P’s article on How to help your child be a good sport, whether they win or lose.
