Competition, is it good for kids

I agree - two of the most important lessons of competing is learning that you don't always win, and learning how to win or lose with a level of dignity. And those lessons should apply not just to the kids but their parents too.

I think a little competition is good for kids, they need to learn to compete and also to be a good winner and a good loser. But I think some parents take it to far with their kids sporting events and take the fun out of it for their kids, sure a little competition is good but some of the parents get way to involved and seem to be reliving their own 'glory days' though their kids. These parents need to get a life and remember it's only a game.

no....kid should b free frm competition

While I feel that there is much to be learned in organized sports, it often turns in to a 'must win' lesson by parents and coaches! Young children can learn valuable lessons about the importance of teamwork, sharing, sportsmanship, hard work, and more. One quickly learns that practicing can increase one's skill. Of course there is also the advantage of a healthier body due to exercise. But, as you mention, it has become a competative arena where the ADULTS get their egos stroked and fulfill their wishes through the children. I saw so much poor sportsmanship displayed when my children were in Little League that I wanted to puke! So very sad.

competion and fair play are great for kids...what is not great is mental fans...my brother coaches atom hockey ...has done so for more than 20 years ..He started when HIs children began to play and has just kept doing it...one season he went to the league and asked that the games be closed to parents...the kids had stopped having fun...they didnt want to play anymore...He had a team meeting and they told Him ...were always in trouble...if i dont score im grounded said one boy...my Dad thinks im lousy said another... Coach You say to pass the puck and my mom says i better not pass it ...pressure pressure pressure...hello parents, its a game...yes competition is good...and fair play and teamwork are good...but pressure on kids to be superstars sucks...let them be kids ...let them have fun...and hey you just might enjoy it too if you take the pressure off yourself "Its just a game" ToriaT

Kids need to learn the art of working together! Why compete and make the other guy a Loser! What does that say to your Kids? Kick him when hes down! "We beat him cause hes a Looser!" Watch Pro Sports, and let your kids see the Pros in Action. "Break his neck if you get a chance!" throw off the gloves and Go for it! Is this really Sport? No wonder our kids shoot each other in school! Its enough to make a Man vomit!

Competition is always good in the present environment as the child learn to live life and its food for the future.

In true sense the competition brings the inner strength out of the kids. Only thing require is that the competition should be healty one and if its amongst friends, then it brings better results. On the other hand extreme as they say may brings negative results. So one should make a balance between the two points to get through it.

i think, to some extent it is good to expose the kids to the competition. it would definitely equip themselves better to take on the challenges and the competitiveness of the world when they grow up....

Hi brothertuck - I love this post! I have actually seen grown men fight over their child's football (soccer) game, I mean kids of about 7! I think that children need to learn that competition is ok but that winning is not everything, it is the way they compete! My 5 year old recently had a sports day and came last in the egg and spoon race but got a prize because she was the only one in her race who didn't cheat and hold the 'egg' onto the spoon as she ran. I was so proud of her for doing it properly! Not everyone can be the best but they can do their best - in my opinion I would rather my child was last and did their best than win but just not try! xxx

I may be wrong, but I tend to feel that sport today has become far too serious as winning becomes all important and many participants (and spectators) are all too ready to blame somebody/something else if they don't win. I feel also that the "soccer violence" occurring here in the UK between rival teams of adults, has it's roots in the way soccer is played in childhood. Even in my childhood, if any of us made a mistake on the sports field, we were subjected to ridicule by our peers and the supervising school master. OK, it made me improve my game, but some students became phobic about sport, which in those days, was madatory in our school. To me, everything devolves very quickly and becomes OK and stressing and straining to win as if the whole universe depends on it, has the effect of putting players and specatators in a state of inner conflict that spills outwards. We need challenge, but it's supposed to be a form of entertainment and recreation, not a war where each opponent feels that they want to "kill" the other. This also seems to manifest itself in the world around us, but the people that matter, don't seem to recognise what's happening.

Well i can see where it is good but I can also see aslot of bad in it. Over zealous coaches that think they are in the majors to parents who actually get into fist fights at there kids games. When my oldest boy wanted to play football in junior high there was some parent there who got into a fist fight over there kids. So I guess its like anything else you just have to watch what kind of example you are setting for your kids to follow.

Competition is healthy. It forces one to strive to do better and become better than they are. It also teaches kids how to win and more impotantly how to lose. There is honor in both and in doing very regardless of whether or not you win or lose. In life you both win and lose at different things. It's preparing them for real life, which is why I think it's a good thing. All things though in moderation. Taking it to extremes in unhealthy. Minnie Mouse is HOT! filmbuff

this tendency of competitive attitude among the kids is not only good but a best format in which their mind can be moulded; be it sports or academic studies. this attitude make them intelligent and clever and witty. the psychological pressure to compete and be winner make them diamond so it is good......and best

I agree with you. My kids play soccer and I think it's really important that they learn good sportsmanship and how to work as a team. There is a natural progression in our league with no scores being kept until the kids hit the U-12 level and then it becomes a bit more competitive. The one thing you have to really watch out for is overzealous coaches which is why I decided to step up and coach myself so that I'd be in control of that from our side. I also have no problem telling off parents who can get a little out of control at times.

do what you want to do brother tuck but im not getting involved