When children are young, we might think of their egos as fragile and carefully strategize to make sure they can win whatever we're playing with them. But just as they need to learn how to take their turn playing the game, they also need to take their turn at winning and at losing.

It's important to lose sometimes.
Everyone likes to win, and when we're playing CandyLand with a 5-year-old, we might incorrectly conclude that it's critical to set him/her up so he/she can win every time. Naturally, it would be hard for any child to lose game after game and we don't want to completely frustrate them. However, if they never experience any loss, they will miss the opportunity to build the emotional muscle needed to cope with disappointment (much less the skill of acknowledging someone else's win with a good attitude.)

How can I avoid a meltdown?
As you're setting up the board game or play activity, talking about sportsmanship in a casual manner can help your child get ready for any outcome of the game. Asking your child how you should handle different outcomes also makes things easier to understand and more playful. For example, try saying, "If I lose, should I cry and say 'No fair! I wanted to win!! ?" Just about every child will find this reaction ridiculous in an adult and it makes it easier for them to hear your next question: "So, if you win, should I say 'Good game!' or something like that? And after your child agrees that this is a good idea and that this is part of being a good sport, you can wrap up this idea with, "Okay… if you win, I'll say 'Good game!' and if I win, you'll say 'Good game!', right?" This whole process can prepare them for good coping strategies and good sportsmanship in the event that they lose.

Being a gracious winner
It's also important to learn how to win graciously. When your child wins, an arrogant or boastful reaction can obviously turn off their peers to wanting to play with them again. Once again, this can be part of the conversation at the beginning of the game. Ask: "So, if I win, should I say, 'Ah-ha! I won again! Whoo hoo – I'm so great!...? And, once again, your child will point out the inappropriateness of this poor sportsmanship and you've helped them understand another life skill without lecturing.