Awards Ceremonies for Everyone.
December 1, 2007 – 1:06 pmToday my daughter and son received their soccer trophies. They are young 6 years old and 4 years old respectively. They received these trophies for participating in the fall season. Now while you might question whether or not I am jealous (and I do think that I should have gotten a trophy as well for sitting on the sidelines and routing on my children - if you have ever seen children that age “play soccer” you’d understand).
I find myself asking the question, aren’t trophies meant for the winning teams? Question #2, since when does shear participation land a trophy? Question #3, is there another way to celebrate participation?
As I regress into my childhood, I remember the years we didn’t win (which were more than not) we had a pizza party or get together as a team. The coach would appreciate each players unique contribution to the team and encourage us play next year. The trophies I have accumulated over the years were for winning (and I have a couple for second place). They are prize possessions because they represented hard work, teamwork, and - yes - romping on all the other teams that year.
As I think to the future, what will my children think of the trophies that they received for participating? What kind of culture is that producing - when your rewarded for participating (regardless of the level of performance)? How does this affect motivation for “the prize?”
These are just some of the questions I am asking myself. How about you?
Tags: Family, Random Thoughts
One Response to “Awards Ceremonies for Everyone.”
Six and Four. I like the trophies. They are fun. You make me think of Billy Madison seriously playing dodge ball against the Kindergarten class.
At 4 and 6 they’ve “earned” them. Staying focused and running after that ball for that length of time is a big deal. They like the trophies too. You gotta relax about this one, I think.
I do agree that the parents really deserve trophies too, though. The shin guards, and socks over the shin guards, and shoes, and what to pack, and “where’s your ball”
And they’re only 6 and 4 already. Crap!
By Your wife on Dec 1, 2007