Competition is a form of measurement and comparing one person or team against another. Moderate competition is good, but extreme competition can devastate anyone. Parents, teachers, coaches, youth directors and other adults play an integral role in directing the activities of youth. Adults can help to channel the energies of youth so that they encounter a wide variety of experiences. Adults can play an important role in helping youth balance competition and cooperation. Temperament, culture, talent and the age of the child affect how a child handles competition. Children are not born with a competitive urge. They learn it.
Competition in itself is not a bad thing. Competition will be experienced at many points in life. As adults, we can choose to structure events and contests so that competition is a learning experience. Competition becomes negative when winning becomes the overriding goal. Competition is everywhere in the world. While it may be almost a natural part of society today, some of the negative effects on children are overlooked.
In most competitive events there are more of those that do not win than those who do. Winning can have a positive effect on a child but it has been shown that losing enhances negative thoughts and feelings more than winning increases positive thoughts. Children who fail to win in competitive situations show more feelings of unworthiness, more harmful thoughts about themselves, and decreased self-esteem. Children who do not win may feel that they have failed and have negative feelings about themselves. They may feel worthless, helpless and hopeless.
Adults can help guide youth to focus on the means (learning, obtaining goals, social contact or simply being happy with being involved) instead of the end (winning). Striving to achieve a goal is a constructive form of competition where success is measured in terms of self growth and not by a ribbon or trophy.
Children are extremely sensitive to adult attitudes about winning and losing. When positive responses follow only winning, and negative reactions following losing, youth may learn to fear failure. Their desire and motivation may be dampened in a way that limits their creativity and their desire to take chances and experience new things. Enthusiasm for learning and enjoyment in the activity may be discouraged.
Competition can be good for children. It can help children develop healthy attitudes about winning and losing. Children become competitive as they refine and practice skills and develop coordination and cognitive abilities. Competition can encourage growth and push a child to excel.
BY:
BANDNA REKHI
CONSULTANT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment