My 8-year-old gets frustrated if he doesn’t win a board game or can't solve a puzzle right away. How can I teach him that it's OK to lose and that learning things takes time?

If your child demonstrates low frustration tolerance across many situations, he may be experiencing stress worthy of a professional consultation. If it emerges only at home in play situations, then consider the following strategies: Avoid criticizing or comparing him to others. When he is calm, explain that the learning process -- including patience, sportsmanship and effort -- is more important than the outcome. Praise his gradual mastery of the game or puzzle rather than the outcome. Your child may also benefit from more open-ended, creative activities that don't involve either competition or a specific criterion of success or failure.

Dr. Patti Zomber is a child psychologist based in Marina del Rey, Calif. She has written numerous articles about parenting, and she is a contributing editor on NestleFamily.com as well as the editor of the Los Angeles Psychologist journal.

Please Note: This Expert Q&A feature is intended to impart general child development information and mealtime tips. This is not to take the place of medical consultation and you should consult your doctor for medical advice or services.