I'm just not sure what's going wrong with 5yo DS (he has JUST turned 5, in Reception). Overall is a happy and bright little boy. He's very 'busy' and always on.
He's a terrible, terrible loser. He will often have a complete strop - with tears, throwing a game or storming off - if he isn't winning. Crying that it isn't fair. With a racing car game the other day with his friend from school he was awful. If his car came off the track he cried and made such a fuss and then would take his friend's car off the track until his own car was back up and running. However when he was winning himself he'd be gloating 'haha, I'm the best'. It's an awful combo - bad loser and gloating winner.
We have of course always said that it doesn't matter who wins or loses as long as you're joining in and having fun. This behaviour of his really makes me cringe and I'm embarrassed about it.
It has another effect which I'm also worried about. With sports, like football or running, he just won't even join in at all unless he feels he will win or is one of the best players. His Sunday morning football club we've actually had to stop because he simply refused to join in and play properly....all because 'everyone else is better'. I dont know or care if they are - they're all 5, how good could they be???
The school promotes growth mindset and we do too by saying that if you work hard and try at something you will get better. But this seems to fall on deaf ears.
More than anything I'm scared that his friends will stop wanting to play with such a bad sport and he'll not have any friends. He's actually quite sensitive in a way and would feel rejection keenly. I've made him sound awful but in other circumstances he can be sweet and kind hearted to his friends.
Any tips?