Our Emotions and Behaviour: I Want to Win! A book about being a good sport
Our Emotions And Behaviour Series
What’s inside...
A gentle picture book that examines the issues of competitiveness, frustration, patience and resilience in a reassuring way - perfect for young children who struggle with always needing to win. The story offers a way in to talk about our frustrations and how we can manage them, reinforcing good behaviour. At the end of the story, there are notes for parents and teachers with suggestions of ways to help children deal with the big emotions they experience. Bella always needs to win - no matter what. She gets really cross if she is beaten at any game, and she is never gracious in defeat. If she isn't winning, she would rather give up than carry on trying. When Bella struggles in the den-building competition, she would much rather give up and not take part. But can she learn to keep going and do her best, and be a good sport to the winner? This book is part of a series, Our Emotions and Behaviour, which is perfect for sharing with children as a gentle means of identifying and discussing their emotions, boosting their confidence and helping social and emotional development. Each book has a fun story which is backed up by suggestions for activities and ideas to talk through together and a wordless storyboard for children to tell a story themselves and reinforce the story's message. The series supports the Personal, Social and Emotional Development Area of Learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the characters feel when they didn't win the game?
Why is it important to be happy for others when they win?
What are some ways you can be a good sport, whether you win or lose?
How do you think being a good sport helps you make friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by sharing times they felt similar emotions. Validate their feelings and discuss the importance of sportsmanship and empathy. Use praise to reinforce positive attitudes about winning and losing gracefully, and make connections to real-life situations to enhance understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Good Sportsmanship
Explanation: The story demonstrates the importance of being a good sport through the character's experiences of winning and losing games. The narrative guides children on how to handle both outcomes gracefully.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson during school sports or board games with family, learning to gracefully accept wins and losses which helps in building positive relationships.
Example Lesson: Empathy Towards Others' Feelings
Explanation: The book illustrates how recognizing and considering other people's feelings is crucial, especially when you win or lose. It shows the impact of one's behaviour on others' emotions.
Real-World Application: This lesson is vital in group activities or team projects at school, where children learn to appreciate the feelings of their peers, fostering a supportive and understanding environment.
Example Lesson: Handling Disappointment
Explanation: The character in the book faces disappointment but learns how to cope with it constructively. The book provides strategies that help in dealing with negative emotions.
Real-World Application: Children can use these strategies when they face setbacks in homework, sports, or friendships which helps them to maintain resilience and perseverance.
Example Lesson: Importance of Practice and Effort
Explanation: The story encourages trying your best and continuing to practice, emphasizing that effort can lead to improvements, even if you don’t always win.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to persist in tasks such as learning a new skill or improving academically, teaching them the value of hard work and perseverance.