This from the U.K. …
Two out of three schools are rewarding all pupils on sports days to ensure that nobody feels left out, according to a survey.
Teachers want to be ‘inclusive’ and give prizes to both winners and losers to stop anyone’s feelings being hurt.
The findings come as the Government has pledged to reintroduce competitive sport into the country’s primary and secondary schools. …
read more in the Daily Mail
Personally I’ve never been conflicted on this issue.
In school, gym and life we should recognize and reward both participation and winning.
The two aren’t mutually exclusive.
At Island Gymnastics Academy Camp, for example, all athletes get the camp t-shirt. A few were singled out for their excellent work that week.
No problem.
Being both a good winner and loser is a lfe skill we can easily teach through sport.
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“Being both a good winner and loser is a life skill we can easily teach through sport.” That is one of the truest statements I have read in a long time. Parents don’t want to see their child’s feelings hurt but often it is the their feelings that they are trying to avoid being hurt.
I read an article in Maclean’s Magazine, probably 15+ years ago called “The Trophy System”. I wish I could find it as it was the best I have ever read regarding over rewarding kids to avoid hurting their feelings. It pointed out quite clearly that providing medals, trophies etc to everyone and putting too much importance on that aspect was simply dangerous…we don’t need a society of people who have a sense of entitlement…oh wait, we do have that now don’t we?
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