Losing a game.
When the rule is 'win,' losing can feel unbearable. A calmer way to think about playing, not just winning, helps.
Social story
Losing a Game
Sometimes I play a game with other people.
In a game, sometimes I win and sometimes I lose.
Losing can feel really hard. Big feelings about losing are okay.
Winning is fun, and playing the game is the fun part too.
If I feel too big, I can take a breath or a break.
I can play again. There is always another game.
More ways to help with losing
What to expect
If winning feels like the whole point, losing feels like failing. Gently widening the point to 'playing is the fun part' and 'I can try again' makes a loss survivable. Big feelings about losing are normal.
One tip from a dad who's been there
Name your own losses out loud calmly ('aw, I lost, good game') so your child sees losing handled, not hidden. Practicing with the story before a real game makes the moment less raw.
