Show-Me 4-H Character Module 5, Part 1 Competing with Honor

What is competition? Compete –To seek together, to come together, agree, be suitable –To strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective –Be in a state of rivalry

Two Dimensions of Competition Internal – Competing against one’s own personal best. External – Individual or team competition to achieve the highest possible ranking; to strive for victory, to be the absolute best.

Fixed on Winning Competition is not just found in sports but in many venues – including 4-H.

Questions, Questions, Questions Good Bad Useful Harmful Yes No Others do it why can’t we?

What are adults to do? Encourage young people to: Strive for excellence Reach new goals Improve on and learn new skills Surpass perceived limitations

Factors Contributing to Success Hard work Teamwork (when appropriate) Execution of practiced skills Setting high levels of expectation and meeting them Controlling what they can Meeting challenges Using what they learn Improving through the process

Is competition appropriate for all ages? No

Provide age appropriate experiences Younger than and older

Children under 8 Competition for children 7 and under can be risky. Younger than and older

What we should know about young children Centered on self Likes to play or work next to someone Needs to learn the importance of sharing, taking turns and cooperating

What this means for adults Help them learn about: Being Cooperative Helping and being helped Being a team member

8 to 10 year olds Still not ready for intense competition Younger than and older

What we should know about 8 to 10 year olds Have boundless energy Coordination is increasing Interests change rapidly Vary greatly in a number of ways Comparisons with others are difficult

What this means for adults Cooperation over competition Help them understand that doing their best is most important

11 to 15 year olds Can consider one’s own and others’ perspectives simultaneously. Younger than and older

What we should know about 11 to 15 year olds Experience rapid changes in physical appearance Exhibits less dependency on parents Takes more responsibility for planning and evaluating work Can be painfully self-conscious and critical Move from me attitude to a collective we

What this means for adults Encourage them to advance their skills Find balance between work and fun

16 and Older Experiences competition in many aspects of their life. Younger than and older

What we should know about youth 16 and over Overcome the awkwardness of puberty Desire for status in their peer group Want adult leadership roles Group vs Individual High levels of abstract thinking and problem solving Community consciousness and concern for the well-being of others

What this means for adults Encourage them to serve as role models for younger members Help them understand that in the end people will remember how they behaved in a competitive situation far longer than whether they won or lost.

Is Competition Good or Bad? YES

References Jeffrey Pratt Beedy, Ed.D., Sports Plus Positive Learning Using Sports, Developing Youth Sports Programs that Teach Positive Values, Project Adventure, 1997 Josephson Institute of Ethics, Pursuing Victory with Honor, 2004