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Compassionate and Competitive Play Can Co-Exist: Saying No to Bullying

By Kathryn Wilder, Ph. D, Mom's Team, 07/09/18, 12:00PM PDT

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By treating all kids the same as they walk on and off the field, children should be taught at an early age not to compare themselves to others; therefore, they will not overly criticize others who they perceive are better or worse than them.

Bullying or competitive play? In sports, it can sometimes be difficult to tell the two apart.

While intimidation can be a natural part of competition, studies have shown that kids who are teased in gym class or sports are less likely to participate in physical activity one year later. As athletes and parents of athletes, how do we spot real sports bullies and what should we do about them? Since October is National Bullying Prevention Month, it's a good time to address this very important topic.