Smythe's Blog

Sports Days

Went to my boy's sports day this afternoon, (He's only 3). The big push by teachers was for the parents to be there and that taking part was all that was important with all the children getting a medal and certificate. That was of the teachers, the parents were a bit more competive whilst the kids just enjoyed running with their friends.

Made me wonder who the day was for and why?

Obviously the day should be for the kids but there is a bit of parent one up manship comes to play, thats just human nature. It is this non-competitive bit I have a problem with. All through our lives we compete, for a better job, for promotion and even socially with our friends. Sometimes it is not losing that is the problem but our perception of losing. It is okay to lose if we learn from it and make positive steps from the disappointment to increase later success. Surely if we don't allow competition we deprive people of that ability or the potential to learn it.

There are always going to be people who lose, and some will take it badly and not move on, that also, is human nature. How do you prepare people for that if we set up a school culture where no-one is seen to lose. not winning can be great motivator for most people and push them to strive harder.

Lets face it, no-one in the grown up world is going to say, 'You weren't good enough to get the job/promotion but here is a job anyway because at least you tried'. To commend effort is not the same thing, why strive to improve yourself if you are going to get the prize anyway. Why are we afraid of saying 'well done, good effort' whilst giving the trophy to the person who actually beat everyone else. What does this teach our children to expect?

Personally I always enjoyed competition and I didn't always win. I don't expect a prize for doing my best but falling short of the mark and am usually surprised to see a 'well done' for my efforts. We will all fail or lose at something surely our childhood should prepare us to be sportsman like winners and good losers. Isn't it better to get this out of the way early? After all, parents will continue to compete for their children and all the children will grow up to be adults who will have to deal with failure, in some measure or other.

posted by Smythe @ 4:30 pm