Summary
As the object of the review, the article “Children Need to Play, Not Compete” by Statsky will be used. In her work, the author argues that for children between the ages of six and twelve, games in which competition is a key aspect are inappropriate (Statsky). As an alternative, Statsky suggests focusing on physical fitness and honing collaboration skills. The key reason why these assumptions are made is the effect on a child’s unformed psyche since holding sports competitions at an early age by adult standards is fraught with subsequent psychological problems. As a result, the negative perception of any gaming activity may be a consequence.
As an additional justification for her assumptions, Statsky notes the traumatic nature of active sports at an early age. In addition to the aforementioned potential psychological problems, real health damage may be caused if a child is too active and seeks to imitate an adult competitive principle. One of the theories that the author resorts to is shifting responsibility on children for the realization of parents’ and coaches’ unfulfilled dreams and fantasies (Statsky). In this regard, the facts presented by the authorities, which document the threat of competitions, are justified and should be taken into account when planning physical education for children of primary school age.
Response
The presented position is justified, and due to relevant theories and arguments, Statsky’s thoughts have weight as an objective background to raise a significant problem. The author’s idea that the competitive nature of active games impedes the enjoyment of the entertainment process is logical in view of the consequences for children’s psyche (Statsky). Paluch et al. conduct a study aimed at analyzing the consequences of negative childhood experiences in such events and argue that an association between mental health and early failures may be observed (626).
If the atmosphere of rivalry is superior to entertainment, this encourages children to become nervous and unreasonably anxious, thereby harming their nervous system. My personal experience proves that friendliness in games carries more positive emotions than the task of winning. Therefore, competition for the sake of victory cannot be attributed to entertainment but rather to the forced adaptation of a child to adulthood.
The arguments mentioned are not limited to Statsky’s personal position regarding the potential threat of competitions in early childhood. The author refers to credible sources and gives relevant opinions of other researchers who confirm the raised issue and consider it from the perspective of adverse effects (Statsky). As these resources, scholars’ reasoning is given that the process of the game itself is more pleasant for children than the status of a winner.
Statsky notes that “playing regularly on a losing team” is a more favorable prospect than spending time on the bench as a winner. If children have an opportunity to contact their peers in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, this eliminates the need to worry about the outcome of sports events and provides more freedom in action. This, in turn, helps maintain a child’s interest in physical development and contributes to building communication skills. Thus, creating conditions for positive contacts is more beneficial than putting children in competitive conditions deliberately.
Despite the fact that such an experience is a preparation for adulthood, the participation of primary school children in sports competitions should not be part of either cognitive or physical development. Statsky’s statistics about the fact that the overwhelming majority of children quit competitive sports at sixteen prove the harm of rivalry at an early age. As a vivid example, the author of the article cites a real situation when a parent of a player attacked a child from the other team (Statsky).
Such a serious attitude to children’s competitions requires young players to be more responsible, and the inability to meet adults’ expectations can lead to psychological trauma. Moeijes et al. state that participation in competitive games poses a threat to psychosocial health, and boys are more affected than girls (372). Therefore, demands for victories may complicate children’s social adaptation, which can be expressed in self-doubt and the fear of the problems of adulthood.
To correct the current problematic situation, Statsky suggests paying attention to the opinions of individual interested parties regarding possible innovations in sports. For instance, she proposes a position that involving each team member’s participation in a game can help increase a player’s self-confidence (Statsky). Authorities’ ideas about dangers that too aggressive competitions are fraught with are also a valuable addition to the general concept of the article.
My experience of participating in such competitions helps me to argue that unsure children without leadership skills can feel depressed and stop contacting their peers, which is an extremely adverse outcome. Therefore, the general idea of Statsky’s article, which is the harm of coercing a primary school child in competitive sports, is an objective opinion confirmed by relevant studies and assumptions. Thus, the promotion of involvement in physical activities is a more appropriate educational aspect than the requirement to demonstrate high results.
Works Cited
Moeijes, Janet, et al. “Characteristics of Sports Participation and Psychosocial Health in Children: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study.” European Journal of Sport Science, vol. 19, no. 3, 2019, pp. 365-374.
Paluch, Amanda E., et al. “Sport Participation Among Individuals with Adverse Childhood Experiences – Leveling the Playing Field.” JAMA Pediatrics, vol. 173, no. 7, 2019, pp. 626-627.
Statsky, Jessica. “Children Need to Play, Not Compete.” HCC Learning. Web.