We Are All Friends - Sportsmanship Circle
World Cup matches teach children that everyone wants to win, but sportsmanship - shaking hands, cheering opponents - is what makes the tournament beautiful. This activity rehearses that mindset before competitive play.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Football Around the World
- Learning area: Socio-Emotional
- Level: EYFS 3-4, Reception
Objectives
- Talk about how winning and losing feels
- Practise positive cheers and respectful handshakes
- Show empathy to teammates and opponents
Materials
- Cushions for the circle
- Two emotion cards (happy, sad)
- Simple cheer chart
Instructions
Sit children in a friendship circle. Hold up the happy card: 'How does it feel when our team scores a goal?' Children share words: 'Happy!', 'Proud!'. Hold up the sad card: 'How does it feel when the other team scores?' Children share: 'Sad', 'I want to cry'. Validate every feeling. Then teach two World Cup rituals: the handshake line ('Good game, good game') and the cheer ('Two-four-six-eight, who do we appreciate? Both teams!'). Practise the handshake line as a group. Close with a promise circle: each child says one thing they will do to be a great teammate at the next mini-match.
Educator tip
Use the language 'It is okay to feel sad when we lose. It is not okay to be unkind.' Children remember the distinction.
Assessment
Observe and note: ability to follow two-step instructions, use of new vocabulary in context, early problem-solving strategies, and sustained shared thinking episodes. Assess against Development Matters age-band expectations. Observe willingness to name feelings, participation in the handshake line, and use of kind words.