Skip to main content
← Back to the story

Winning a Game

Roo Bloom · Social Stories · roobloom.com

  1. A game at the parkI am playing a board game with my friend at the park.
  2. I win!My red piece gets to the end first. I win the game!
  3. I might feel excitedI might feel happy, excited and proud.
  4. When my body feels bouncyIf my body feels very bouncy, I can help it settle a little.

    I could try… Move my body — stretch or jump · Squeeze my hands, then let go · Take slow breaths

  5. My friend might feel sadMy friend might feel disappointed that they didn’t win.
  6. I can say “good game”I can say “good game” to my friend.

    I can say: “Good game!”

  7. Kind words, not teasingI can be happy without saying “You lost!” or teasing.
  8. My friend can choose nextI can let my friend choose what we play next.

    I can say: “What do you want to play now?”

  9. Winning and losingIt’s okay to feel happy when I win.
  10. I am a kind winnerI am learning to win and be kind at the same time.

I can remember

  • It’s okay to feel happy when I win.
  • I can say “good game”.
  • My friend’s feelings matter too.
  • Next time someone else might win.
For grown-ups

What this story teaches

That feeling happy and proud about winning is fine, and how to be a kind winner: settle a bouncy body, notice that the other player may feel disappointed, say “good game”, and share what happens next.

When to use it

  • Before a play date or party with games or races.
  • After a win that turned into teasing or gloating, once things are calm.
  • Alongside “Losing a Game”, so both sides of a game are talked about.

For this story

  • Let your child enjoy the win — you are not asking them to hide their happiness, only to share the moment kindly.
  • Model it when you win: “Yes! Good game. Your turn to pick the next one.”
  • Flapping, jumping or bouncing to let out excitement is fine; just make room so the game is safe.

How to use it

  • Read it together on a calm day, not mid-meltdown. In the hard moment itself, fewer words help more: stay close, keep everyone safe, and save the story for later.
  • Read it again just before a tricky moment you can see coming: on the way to the park, the night before a haircut.
  • Make it fit your child: skip pages, stop when they’ve had enough, swap a detail as you read so it matches your child’s day, or read only the “I can remember” card.
  • Add your child’s first name on the story’s opening page and it appears in a line or two. The name stays in this browser and is never sent anywhere.
  • Use the story’s words in real life (“No means not right now”), and model them when you hear “no” too.
  • Notice tries, not perfect calm. Big feelings are allowed; the story is about what to do with them.

Good to know

  • These stories are for everyday disappointments and changes. They never mean a child should put up with pain, fear, unsafe touch, bullying or anything that hurts — telling a trusted adult is always the right answer there.
  • Nothing here asks a child to make eye contact, hug anyone — family included — stop stimming or stop crying. Crying and moving are ways bodies cope, and headphones or a break are always allowed.
  • Where a story says a grown-up will do something — stop when a hand goes up, give a warning, keep a “later” spot — make sure it really happens, or change that page. A signal that isn’t honoured teaches a child their words don’t work.
  • The aim is understanding and choices, not a quiet or compliant child. Asking “why?”, saying no to touch and disagreeing in words are skills to welcome.
  • Visual stories help many children and not every child. Adapt, skip or change any page. This is an educational resource, not therapy or medical advice.