Teach children about winning and losing

**Will** · 11-15-2006, 05:02 PM

I'm sure you've all heard about the fact that certain schools (If not all, I'm not entirely sure), no longer hand out prizes depending who won. Instead they just take part, and no one gets to be a loser.

What the hell is the supposed to teach children?
- That it doesn't matter how hard you try you can't win?
- There's no point in being competitive?
- There's no point in striving to be the best?
- You can put as little effort as you like into it, because it doesn't matter?

It's a competitive world out there, and making kids hold onto the illusion that you can't lose, is going to do far more damage then it will ever do good.

Sweetpea · 11-15-2006, 05:18 PM

For some reason, this sort of 'Nanny State' stuff only seems to pertain to state schools, I have never encountered it in the three independent schools I have worked in. I think it's stupid. Kids must learn to win and lose, it's life after all.

**Will** · 11-15-2006, 05:45 PM

I think it is mainly if not exclusively state schools which do this.

Bruv · 11-15-2006, 06:04 PM

I learnt some very valuable lessons from early on about competition.
Never was very athletic...My Primary was a Boxing school we all had to have a go....I got one poke on the nose and knew it wasn't for me.
Later in the Big school.....average at football or rugby....but cross country...I used to plod on and came into my own.....not good...but better than average....I rose in esteem.
Now put me in the water....all them big bruisers that ran rings around me on the football field....all great big jessies...didn't want to get water on their faces....I WAS KING....

And all these kids today are missing out on that...what a shame...what a crime.

David Courtney · 11-15-2006, 06:24 PM

School was kinda crap for me, since we had sports competitions but no academic ones...I think schools should encourage both types of competition, so the weak brainy kids can win sometimes, and the dumbass brawny kids can win other times.

Pie'n'mash · 01-27-2008, 08:22 PM

My daughters sports day last June gave away gold, silver and bronze awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize but they also gave certificates to all who participated. I think that's fair and quite nice for those that are not very fast.

My daughter got a bronze.

Why is my dog not running, it makes it seem silly me putting the dog there?

Sweetpea · 01-27-2008, 08:27 PM

Winning and losing teach children valuable life lessons. Cruel to be kind if you like.

poppy · 01-27-2008, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Courtney

School was kinda crap for me, since we had sports competitions but no academic ones...I think schools should encourage both types of competition, so the weak brainy kids can win sometimes, and the dumbass brawny kids can win other times.

you never had exams (academic competition). Never had a top of the form,
best brainy kid, (academic competition) what kind of school was that

WillowTheWhisp · 01-28-2008, 11:12 AM

I'm a school governor and we've actually had directives about not making children feel inadequate by use of the terms 'win' and 'lose'. Rewards (prizes for winning) are fro9wned upon.

I too think it is stupid and doesn't prepare children to face reality.

Bruv · 01-28-2008, 03:11 PM

Who do you get get directives from ?
Are directives cast iron law ?
Cannot schools set their own agenda as long as they adhere to the national curriccy thingy ?