subject: Trophies And Awards Do Not Mean Winners And Losers [print this page] Trophies And Awards Do Not Mean Winners And Losers
In recent times people have decided that there should be no winners in a sport such as a child's baseball league. This is being accomplished through not offering trophies and awards for the children. The children however see it much differently. Psychologists are very much divided on the subject.
When there is no chance for winning, the child will usually not perform to the best of their ability. They feel they have nothing to gain from trying their hardest. The outcome will no longer make a difference since the two sides no longer keep score.
The psychology behind this situation is that children who are not awarded feel as if they have not been recognized. Psychologists are on both sides of the debate. Some feel that no awards means nobody is left out. Others feel that the children will do better if their efforts are recognized in some way.
There is another answer that is much better for the children. Awarding a medal or trophy to each player allows recognition for their efforts. An additional award for the best player or the best team is given to acknowledge their achievements. This translates into confidence for each player, not just those who are called the winners.
Each person winning is a good philosophy. It has been taken to an extreme of no one is a loser, which is causing much confusion for children. They do not understand the reason for the teams when no one wins and no one loses. Many people view this current situation as everyone is a loser because no one is recognized for any accomplishment.
Many elementary schools have begun a method of recognition for children doing nice things for others. A child who may help a teacher pick up papers that were dropped may be recognized for a good deed. This recognition might just be having it announced to the school assembly that they did a good job. Children do not need much encouragement to feel good about themselves. When they feel their efforts are being recognized, they try much harder.
Using trophies and awards is a practice that has went on for many, many years. When children feel confident and successful, they will do much better even in the things that are a struggle. A child who feels that their work is appreciated, even if they didn't win, will try twice as hard next time. They need to be told it is alright not to win every time. Just because they didn't win does not mean that they are a loser.
