I was asked to teach a memory verse to the children. And because I wanted to make the learning process competitive, the day before, I bought a packet of candy to share to the first, second, maybe third, winning teams (out of 4 teams).
When I was up to teach, I told the tasks to the four teams. As expected, minutes later, one of the teams completed the task. To these ones, I gave a share of the candy. Another team finished second and I gave them also a share... The camp leader, discerning from the candy left that I intended to leave one team candy-less came to me and said, 'Just make sure all teams get something. Give everyone something.' Wait...wuh?? I was puzzled! The loser loses, no? He loses the gift, he gains no share of the trophy or the prize, right? So why is this lady trying to challenge my belief about winners & losers in a competition? Nevertheless, in obedience, I did give everyone a share of the pack although I was troubled and kept wondering why she made me do that.
This year, I went to the same camp as I did last year and it was again my duty to teach a memory verse. Like last year, I made it a task-based competition for the teams, however, this year, I kept the advice from my camp leader in mind. While putting the candy together before time, I thought of the previous year and her advice began to make some sense as I asked myself certain questions: What's the point of competition? Why differentiate prizes? To make the losers feel like losers? As if losing were not enough. #smh. Really, of what benefit is competing to a child's development? Hm?
I come from a very competitive society. Parents encourage their children to be ahead in class (by all means). You are deprived of some goodies and outings during holidays, if you do not come first in class (by the way, I think coming first was/is a very silly yardstick for measuring success). Also, one must compete to secure a job. Sometimes, people have to step on others to get ahead. Really, of what benefit is this? I think this kind of attitude does not encourage a healthy learning/work environment.
I think If one has in mind that at the end of the day, he would get the same prize as the next man, he can forgive the system for being full of flaws, for not making all play by the same rules. He can help the next man and the next man can help him grow and learn. Plus, people do not become so focused on getting the prize at the other's expense. Get my drift?
When I was up to teach, I told the tasks to the four teams. As expected, minutes later, one of the teams completed the task. To these ones, I gave a share of the candy. Another team finished second and I gave them also a share... The camp leader, discerning from the candy left that I intended to leave one team candy-less came to me and said, 'Just make sure all teams get something. Give everyone something.' Wait...wuh?? I was puzzled! The loser loses, no? He loses the gift, he gains no share of the trophy or the prize, right? So why is this lady trying to challenge my belief about winners & losers in a competition? Nevertheless, in obedience, I did give everyone a share of the pack although I was troubled and kept wondering why she made me do that.
This year, I went to the same camp as I did last year and it was again my duty to teach a memory verse. Like last year, I made it a task-based competition for the teams, however, this year, I kept the advice from my camp leader in mind. While putting the candy together before time, I thought of the previous year and her advice began to make some sense as I asked myself certain questions: What's the point of competition? Why differentiate prizes? To make the losers feel like losers? As if losing were not enough. #smh. Really, of what benefit is competing to a child's development? Hm?
I come from a very competitive society. Parents encourage their children to be ahead in class (by all means). You are deprived of some goodies and outings during holidays, if you do not come first in class (by the way, I think coming first was/is a very silly yardstick for measuring success). Also, one must compete to secure a job. Sometimes, people have to step on others to get ahead. Really, of what benefit is this? I think this kind of attitude does not encourage a healthy learning/work environment.
I think If one has in mind that at the end of the day, he would get the same prize as the next man, he can forgive the system for being full of flaws, for not making all play by the same rules. He can help the next man and the next man can help him grow and learn. Plus, people do not become so focused on getting the prize at the other's expense. Get my drift?
Truly, it didn't matter who won or lost in the memory verse task. The point of the task was to foster learning. It is better not to make enemies or make anyone feel left out by being 'partial' in gift giving. There really need not be a winner, don't you agree?
