After a good game. What to say.
What to say when your kid had a good game. The script that builds real confidence without making the next one feel like a test.
What they're feeling
- · Proud and wanting you to notice.
- · Energized and ready to talk about it.
- · Maybe secretly waiting for the 'but.'
- · Happy in a way that could go wrong fast if the wrong thing gets said.
What to say (pick one)
- "I loved watching you out there today."
- "That looked like it was fun."
- "What was the best moment for you?"
Then stop talking.
What not to say
- "You should always play like that."
- "If you played like that every game you'd be starting."
- "Were the other parents watching when you did that?"
The rule
Praise the effort and the enjoyment. Not the result compared to other games.
If they bring it up
- · Let them replay it. It's theirs to enjoy.
- · Ask questions instead of giving evaluations.
- · Don't bring up what still needs work. Not today.
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After a good game
- · Enjoy it with them. That's the whole job right now.
- · Ask what they felt, not what you saw.
- · No 'but' attached to the compliment.
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