In the reality television age, when contestants are either considered superstars-in-the-making or deserving of international ridicule, parents may struggle to instill basic teamwork principles in their children. So encouraging kids to become members of a team can help them constructively channel their energy and creativity, while learning about sportsmanship first-hand. Kids can learn new things about themselves through participation in teams of many stripes: sports, leadership, performing arts, robotics, debate, etc. Teams that uphold positive leadership can evoke skills kids did not even know they possessed. Contributing willingly to something greater than themselves often increases self-esteem and personal pride in participants.
Teamwork means the coordinated efforts of members of a group in the interests of a common cause. In order for a team to be successful, the will of the members must converge in support of a shared goal or task. A team is composed of individuals, who temporarily release self-interest to focus their energy in pursuit of a desire they could not achieve on their own. The timeline of a team can be short-term or long-term but it’s usually for a specific duration. Sportsmanship is a word that describes players on any type of team who participate with character and integrity.
Teamwork has not gone out of style. In fact, teamwork has never been more important than it is today. Sports teams rely on it, and so do schools, businesses, towns, states, countries, and international partnerships. Groups of every type can benefit from better teamwork among members from you local PTA to your family’s church or temple.
Perhaps you are hesitant about your child making a commitment to a team and if so, I don’t blame you. It’s probably a good idea to weigh the pros and cons with your child before joining any team because of the time and focus required. Once you decide to go for it, however, never fear. The experience will likely challenge and stretch everyone involved. Keep these teamwork tips fresh in your mind and your entire family will have a better experience.
1. Commit wisely. Join teams pursuing goals your child is passionate about. It’s great to be good at more than one thing, but resist the urge to over-commit to too many teams at once. If you and your child try to please every coach at once, you won’t be able to please any coaches at all.
2. Communicate consistently. Conflicts, illnesses, and field trips are bound to happen. Try to manage expectations by communicating schedule conflicts to coaches as early as you can. Other parents may not bother, but you don’t want to be one of them.
3. Get in the spirit. You have heard that attitude is everything, and nowhere is this saying more relevant than once your child becomes a team member. If you want your child to be a positive contributor, have regular conversations with him about how fortunate he is to be part of such an awesome group.
4. Be an eager learner. Coaches love engaged, enthusiastic players. Assume your child, no matter how capable, has not yet mastered the entire skill set. Skills are an ongoing journey. If your child does not have more to learn, than maybe it’s time to graduate from the team.
5. Contribute your best. We need to ditch the idea that some people are natural born players and others are not. Anyone can contribute something to a team if she follows her innate instinct to be generous. Discuss the difference between giving whole-heartedly and brown-nosing with your kids so they understand the difference.
6. Stay open to constructive criticism. Part of being on a team is responding to criticism.Feedback will not likely be given perfectly every time. The coach and team administrators are also not perfect. Members need to learn to take what is helpful in feedback and try to apply it to the best of their ability without pushback.
7. Bounce back from disappointments . Sitting the bench, getting cast as the understudy, making JV instead of varsity-kids need help finding the value in experiences that don’t thrust them immediately into a spotlight. Help them find the silver lining, so they can maximize it as they keep growing.
8. Cultivate courtesy. Sometimes you have to say, “Good game,” when you don’t feel that way.Coaches expect kids to park their pouting and behave with humility. Increase the odds your kids will be on their best behavior by being impeccable in your behavior, too. Cultivate your family’s reputation as team players and you will raise good sports.
9. Take confusion to the top. Misunderstanding? Miscommunication? Miffed for any reason? Wait 24 hours before you fire off that email. Taking out your anger or frustration on the coach or administrators hurts your child’s reputation and yours. So compose yourself and ask for help in understanding the situation before you demand heads on a platter.
10. Encourage new members. When you and your child became part of the team, you looked to others to learn the ropes. Once your rookie becomes a veteran, it’s your turn to welcome new members and families. Stick out your hand, introduce yourself, and offer whatever assistance you can. There is only one rule: keep your comments constructive. Your little team member and fellow families will thank you for rising above gossip and slander.
Encouragements That Build Sportsmanship
To the team:
Way to come out strong!
Keep your chins up!
You’ve got this!
Way to finish strong!
Way to do your best!
To your child:
I am so proud of your efforts.
I could tell you did your best.
Thank you for being such a good sport.
You really came back strong.
Your hard work is paying off.
Way to be a supportive teammate.
You are growing so much; keep it up.
Mantras to memorize:
It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s knowing you did your best.
You’ll win some and you’ll lose some, but always be a good sport.
It’s easy to get swept up in the drama, so take a deep breath and just play.
Acknowledge your mistakes without being hard on yourself.
Be the first one to tell a teammate, “That’s okay. Shake it off.”
Forget your mistakes, forget your record, and just have a good time out there.
Celebrate everything you do well while working to improve any weaknesses.
Teams are works in progress. They are never finished and they are never done.
