Healthy Competition: Reasons Why Competition is Good For Children

Healthy Competition: Reasons Why Competition is Good For Children

Is competition good for children? This is one of the biggest concerns most parents have. Can you really expect your little one to give their all next time if they don’t even get a participation trophy for their effort?

While there are many genuine concerns that children who suffer defeat after competition may be demoralised, a little healthy competition is good for young minds.

Read on below for a primer on the importance of healthy competition for kids.

 

1. Healthy Competition Inspires Children to Perform Better

While the feeling of defeat is painful, it can also motivate children to improve their performance. It makes an activity relevant to children and encourages them to master the task to be done.

Healthy competition teaches children to perceive failure as an opportunity to do better next time.

They will learn that failure, when viewed as a source of motivation, can drive them to succeed in life.

 

2. It Encourages Critical Thinking and Inculcates the Spirit of Teamwork

Many cooperative games can teach children the value of thinking outside the box and working together to solve challenges.

This is essential for helping children to develop critical thinking skills, which they can use to solve real-life problems, as well as understand the value of teamwork.

 

3. It Teaches Children They Can’t Always Win It All in Life

In life, you win some, you lose some. This is a vital lesson that children need to learn as they grow into adulthood.

Winning or losing is all part of any competition. Victory comes with a great sense of achievement and pride while defeat can be a bitter pill to swallow, especially for those who give their all.

Healthy competitions prepare little ones for both success and failure.

For the winners, winning is a great morale-booster, as they show that hard work and persistence pays. For the losers, the pain of losing is a reminder that there is still room for improvement.

The bottom line is that children will learn to accept that both good and bad outcomes are part of life.

 

4. Healthy Competition Improves Children’s Social Skills

Forming and maintaining relationships is essential for the healthy growth of children. Healthy competitions are an avenue for children to explore their innate social competencies through their interactions with others.

Children may also learn the value of qualities such as hard work and trust through these interactions.

In addition, children may discover their unique strengths and weaknesses.

 

Competition for Kids: A Little Healthy Competition Will Do Your Child No Harm

No doubt, competition for kids can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can lead to negative outcomes that are demoralising for children. On the other hand, it can motivate children to work hard and strive for other positive values needed to succeed in life.

Healthy competition should result in a win-win situation for all participants. It should provide feedback to children about their performance and progress. It is only when children get this feedback that they will be able to do something to improve their lives.

Organising a garden tourney for your friends? Check out our blog post on the 5 best games to play!