Is competition harmful to students?

Why do so many 'sports fanatics' think it's ok to win at all costs? And where is that line? No one seems to see it in the same place. What about the soccer mom's and dad's that are duking it out at the kid's soccer matches? What the hell ARE we actually teaching our kids? How is it that violent contact sports are the preferd way of teaching competition? Why not more 'academic competition'? Let's teach our children to compete in math and science.

i totally agree with you,competition is really important, and so that my school start to prepare for a house system, in which competition will take place, what do you think about house system?, and do you have it in your schools?.

I believe that competition can a useful too children's lot. They can learn loosing and gaining in small itself. They can prepare there own ideas abut the given topics. But who ever it may be teachers should encourage the children in well manner.
I used to make children to play in class room itself by giving one minutes drawing game, puzzles, passing the ball, quiz, and lots of thing .
every thing is possible if we keep challenging to gain.

I suggest reading Alfie Kohns book on the subject. Educators would benefit if they read all of Alfie Kohns books.

Competitions is a very valuable tool in teaching children how to accept defeat as well as victory. Competition is a part of just about every aspect of our daily lives. If we shield children from it now, how will they respond to it in the real world?

I am a kindergarten teacher and I use a lot of competiton in my classroom. I do not name winners. Everyone who participates wins.

My favorite use of competition is a phonics games that I created-"Beat the Teacher." The kids love to win and so do I! The teacher says a phonics sound and names a word that starts with the sound-example /a/ apple and ape. The students write the letter that makes the sound and stand up before I write it on the board. It is a very quiet game and they get so excited over a phonics lesson!

I also play phonics board games and Candy Land, and memory in class during learning centers. Did you know a lot of five year old children have never played a board game and do not know how to say "good game"?

Everyone that plays a game in my class is taught good playing manners and how to be a good sport.

Some days I get so busy trying to get in the standards-I forget the games. The children never forget. They remind me every day to get the games out and let them play.

How many concepts am I teaching?
Counting, taking turns, winning am not being unkind, losing and knowing sometimes it is ok to lose, waiting your turn, polite conversation, number recognition, sound recognition, the importance of reading, games are fun and learning can be fun, and colors.

Tammy

I agree with your comment! Well said!
Tammy

Wow. Lots of different views about competition. I do believe that some competition is very detrimental to self-esteem. I also believe in realistic goals and challenges. I think that teaching competition is really dependent on who's teaching it, and how. I believe that some competition is necessary and vital to development. I think you must be very careful and model the same things that you are teaching your students. If your students see you getting upset about losing, you are not doing your job as a teacher. I know that learning about how to interact with people in competitive situations has helped me in my life, and I know that it helps my students as well.

I agree, why keep score?

Education should prepare students to thrive in the real world. The real world is competitive. Stop pretending everyone wins and everyone can expect equality in every facet of life. Competition exists. Period. Prepare to deal with it.