🧩 Thinking & feelings · Ages 5–6 · about 3 weeks

When a Game Does Not Go My Way

Goal: Name feelings about a game result and choose how to finish or pause kindly.

For parents: Feeling disappointed is allowed. Kind play does not require a smile, a handshake or another round. Model accepting results without teasing. Stop if the game becomes upsetting, and help your child express a feeling before discussing what comes next. Avoid keeping a record of wins.

Do together

  1. A pretend result

    You need: Paper and crayons

    Draw Sara finishing a game after another player wins. Ask how either player might feel. Speak for Sara: "I hoped to win. I need a pause." Try a reply that listens, such as "I can wait with you."

  2. A short chance game

    You need: Four folded paper slips and a pencil

    Draw a star on one slip and circles on three. Mix them face down. Take two each and open them; whoever finds the star wins this round by chance. Name any feelings without judging them. Both people may choose to stop.

  3. Choose an ending

    You need: Paper and crayons

    Draw three choices: put the game away together, take a pause or play again if both agree. After a pretend or real round, choose an ending. Model "Thanks for playing" without requiring your child to repeat it or hide disappointment.

Talk about it

  • How might Sara feel after the game?
  • Did finding the star depend on being better?
  • Which ending would work for both of us?

Words to use

  • game
  • chance
  • win
  • disappointed
  • pause
  • kind
  • choose

Play

  • Feelings Friends
    Feelings
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