Children need to play not to compete
Summary of children need to play not to compete
The author of the book ‘children need to play and not to compete’ is commonly known as Jessica Statsky who proves her argument on why she emphasizes on the need for children to play non competition games. She suggests that the games are harmful and instead of contributing to growth and development of the child they cause physical and psychological traumas to children especially those below twelve years. She argues strongly that the competitions can bring damages to the children since children have not yet realized enough the importance of competition as the adults do. She therefore supports that competitions should be for the adults. She argues that competitive sport at such an early age actually contribute to the failure of children’s ability to compete. Thus the competitions contribute negatively in the success of upcoming players which parents don’t seem to realize. She argues that children should be left to enjoy and have fun when playing instead of sports competitions which contributes to negative effects on the development of potential players. She realizes that parents take much time in discussing the results of the competitive games which affects the children mentally especially those who lost. Thus she argues that competitions should be stopped in upbringing children.
Jessica argues correctly but to some extents the competitions are healthy and should be one of the factors to contribute fun and enjoyment in game. Children and parents through competitive sports get to know the potential players and also the talented players. When this is realized early the potential children players can venture into sports while the rest venture into other activities of their choice. According to me the competition are therefore necessary in discovering the ability of children at early ages. Children should realize that at times people sacrifice what they love most in order to do other things which suits them most for example if a child loves sports but is not capable of playing, then the child should be advised to perform what they can perform other than sports and by so doing the child remains independent. I strongly think that children can not control their talents and abilities whatsoever for example children cannot control their heights in playing basketball. Basketball demands for tall players but even short ones can play. Such factors which cannot be controlled don’t determine the success of players.
The author supports the point that children should not be forced to do things they dislike instead they should be left to choose what they do like. Forcing children makes them hate that activity and thus causing them psychological traumas. Children learn much from holding competition since that interaction brings fun and enjoyment. They learn new and important lessons which they didn’t know before thus competitions are helpful in nurturing children. In her argument Jessica points out that sports competitions contribute to negativity in growth of children for example she says that they contribute to discouragements and children gets really upset especially when they lose. Jessica as an author gets many materials in her support of this factor especially in journals, newspapers and books. She discourages parents in involving their children in such dangerous competition as she elaborates well and credibly why the sports are bad for the growth of children. She says “that the spirit of play disappears and sports become job like” (Dender, Stagnitti, 16). She elaborates well in her scenes why she discourages those competitions. As much as I think the author is right she does not look at the positive effects of these competitions, she focuses more on the negative side of the competition theory.
In my conclusion I support the author’s point of view though not fully but her work is considered credible since she has lots of supportive materials to argue her research. Parents should not deny their children rights in choosing what they want to do and should be left to decide on what to and after choosing parents should support their children. This contributes to the success of a child.
Works Cited
Dender A, Stagnitti K. Development of the Indigenous Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment: Selection of play materials and administration. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal [serial online]. February 2011;58 (1):34-42. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed March 3, 2014.
