How do you support and guide your child through the frustration of kids who cheat in sports.
Master 7 has two children in his grade who cheat constantly at all sports. I understand it is not the teachers on duties job to ref sports.. Do kids like this eventual grow out of it?
I told him to play a different game and the others who are frustrated are likely to follow.. but these two kids follow too..
I know he needs to manage his frustration.
Interested in others thoughts
15 Replies
This is a great opportunity for your child to learn conflict resolution. Children cheat in games because they are children and it’s a game. Tell him to play something else and not to worry about it. Definitely doesn’t need to be made a big deal
Kids who constantly cheat to win then shouldn’t be called out?
And if other kids actually want to play that particular game why should they miss out? Due to a minority who cheat?
So you pick out one part of the comment and ignore the rest
Explain to me how conflict resolution is appropriate here? Two children cheat... they continue to cheat even when asked not to... what else is there to do in that situation.. that’s what the poster is asking?
Bring up with the teacher in a positive way and the teacher will likely use this as an opportunity to discuss fair play, cheating etc. If kids are not in your kids class, again, speak to your child's teacher so it can be incorporated into the curriculum. These are Grade 1 or 2 kids who are still in early stages of learning life skills. Positive reinforcement and education all the way 😀
What a lovely suggestion thank you..
I may actually take your advice I think. As some of the tactics may lead to injuries. As the cheating is often tripping children from behind etc
Teachers do ref the kids. Theres teachers on duty and if its a big ongoing issue, contact the teacher yourself and ask to have help with it as its ruining the game. These kids might need help to learn to play with others.
Being only a week to go though, I wouldn't bother right now. I would tell your child to tell the teacher on duty and also tell your kid they'll probably grow out of it over the holiday and if not you can fix it right from the start next year.
ThAnk you 😊
Could it be that your child can't cope with kids that are better than him, so resorts to the excuse that they're cheating? Boys love winning, I know with my own boys one is a sore loser whenever he gets beaten at something he cracks it, calls his brother a cheat and storms off. It might pay to see if this is what is really going on.
Thank you for your suggestion. No my son is a gracious loser (maybe not always, but it is something we coach him in) - but also a very naturally talented athlete. We have these discussions regularly. We also play him up in older age groups so he is very used to not being the best player on the field.
One of these children in question is in our soccer team. And the tantrums he throws when he doesn’t score in game is pretty telling.
This is exactly what I thought.
Yep, my thoughts exactly. Definitely sounds like a case of “ my son would never”
Oh for god sake.. so none of us know our kids is that what your saying? Seriously 😐 it’s so funny on here how people assume that I have no self awareness and am unable to reflect on my sons behaviour! I’m the first to point out his flaws! I’m also the first to ask him if he is telling the truth or if he was being a sore looser!!
I have also witnessed these kids cheat repeatedly without there parents calling them out on it.
Teach your son to set ground rules gently if he can and to go with the flow if he can't. At 7, these are normal behaviours. Kids need to learn to lose graciously, they need to learn to win graciously, they need to learn sportsmanship and they also need to learn to pick their battles. They can choose not to play or to just enjoy the game regardless of what anyone else does when it's not an actual refereed game.
Schools play sports at break time in year level cohorts, and they will actually get them to agree on rules and boundaries to make it easier for them to get on with it.