Team sports like girls’ or boys’ soccer are a fun way to get your child physically active while also teaching them valuable life lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and dedication. Sports are also an opportunity to learn some tougher lessons—like how to graciously accept a loss. After an unsuccessful game, your child may get discouraged or frustrated. Here’s what you can do as a parent to keep them motivated and positive.

3 Tips for Motivating Kids After They Lose a Sports Game

1. Remain Empathetic & Encouraging

Your child will likely be disappointed after their loss. Acknowledge those feelings while remaining positive. You might say something like "I know you're disappointed. I'm sorry you didn't get the outcome you wanted, but there's going to be many more games." 

Avoid lecturing, rehashing the game, or placing blame (for example, by blaming a referee's "bad" call). Use the opportunity to teach your child that losses happen in life and explain how to learn from them.

2. Give Them a Treat

After the game, consider taking your child out for a treat like ice cream. Exclusively saving treats like this for winning games can make it that much harder for your child to handle losses. Instead, celebrate the effort they made during the game, win or lose. Consider inviting some of their friends or teammates to join as well. Kids can bounce back quicker when they're laughing and talking with friends.

3. Bring Back the Fun Factor

Kids may get frustrated and shy away from their sport after a loss. Remind them why they got into it in the first place by ramping up the fun. Play a pick-up game just for a laugh—no winners or losers. If they aren’t ready to hit the field yet, do some other activities for fun, like going for a bike ride, to get their mind off of the defeat. Eventually, they’ll be ready to get back to practice freshly motivated.

If you want to teach your child a sport and valuable life lessons, sign them up for girls’ or boys’ soccer at Beachside Soccer Club in Norwalk, CT. Accommodating players aged 5 to 13, this youth athletics network is led by expert coaches who take a holistic approach to coaching—emphasizing an understanding of the game, physical abilities, and good sportsmanship. Visit the club’s website to find out more about their girls’ and boys’ soccer teams, or call (203) 852-6969 with questions.