I believe all parents have heard the
term “glass heart,” and no one wants their children to have a
“glass heart.” Whether they are just starting school or entering the
workforce, everyone faces various levels of competition. If they don’t know how
to cope, it can lead to mental and physical exhaustion, even affecting personal
development. Allowing children to participate in competitions based on their
interests and willingness offers many benefits:
- Learning
to Follow Rules
Every competition or competitive game
has its own set of rules that must be followed, such as arriving on time and
adhering to size specifications for submitted work. These experiences teach
children the importance of following rules. Parents can also explain why these
rules exist, such as fairness in size specifications and convenience with
deadlines.
- Learning
to Express Themselves
Not every child is born with a strong
desire to perform or is accustomed to showcasing their talents. Children who
participate in competitions can boost their confidence by observing the
behavior of other children and responding to the cheers and encouragement from
the audience, learning to be more willing to express themselves.
- Learning
to Face Winning and Losing
In any competitive situation, whether
it’s a competition or a game, there will always be winners and losers, and
often there is only one champion. When a child achieves victory, parents can
provide appropriate encouragement to maintain their enthusiasm for the activity
and the competition. This is also a good opportunity to teach children to
express gratitude to the staff, teammates, and friends who supported them
during the competition.
Even if they unfortunately lose,
parents can accompany their children through feelings of disappointment,
helping them understand that even in failure, there are valuable lessons to be
learned for next time. They should realize that losing a competition does not
mean they gained nothing. More importantly, it’s essential to reflect on the
experience of failure and prepare for the next opportunity.
