Boys Town Suggests Olympic Games Provide Teachable Moments

OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Opening Ceremonies for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang will air Friday evening, and Boys Town has tips for using the opportunity to inspire your child and help them be a better person and teammate.

"The Olympic games give kids the opportunity to see athletes overcome enormous adversity to reach the highest level of competition," said Angee Nott, Boys Town teacher and coach, "It inspires kids and motivates them to strive to do their best at any level in everything they do."

Here are four important things to highlight for your kids and make the most of your family Olympic-viewing experience:

1. The stories of athletes overcoming adversity. Many Olympians have experienced difficulties throughout their lives and careers, but through resilience and dedication have overcome these obstacles. Children who mimic these traits will be able to overcome obstacles in their own paths to success.
2. The diversity of the Olympic games. The Olympics are a great opportunity to appreciate the unique, strong, diverse and vibrant community of athletes. When kids have a better understanding of other cultures, they are less likely to develop harmful, hurtful prejudices and are more likely to develop positive relationships with others.
3. How to handle disappointment. Every athlete can't take home the gold. Remind your child that it is important to focus on the process and not the result. It's okay to be disappointed, but you need to get back up again.
4. What it means to be a member of the team. Each athlete that competes under the United States flag is a member of Team USA. Highlight how the athletes demonstrate good teamwork by having a good attitude, encouraging each other, and giving their best effort.

Watching the Olympics can inspire kids to try a new sport or tackle a new skill. It's important to encourage them. Youth athletics help instill confidence and allow kids to practice real world skills in a safe structured environment.

About Boys Town
For 100 years, Boys Town has been a beacon of hope for America's children and families through its life-changing youth care and health care programs. In 2016, almost 500,000 children and families across the United States were impacted by Boys Town programs. This includes those who received services from Boys Town's residential programs as well as those served by the many varied programs that comprise the Boys Town Integrated Continuum of Child and Family Services, including In-Home Family Services, health care services provided by Boys Town National Research Hospital and the Boys Town National Hotline. You can find more information about Boys Town online at www.Boystown.org.

Media Contact:
Lauren Laferla
402-498-1273
[email protected]

SOURCE Boys Town

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