Comments on: Sports Day Ribbons…what’s happened to them?

By: Andi

Andi — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:13:55 +0000

My son’s school just gave out ribbons to everyone, but graded 1st, 2nd and 3rd. They may as well have printed ” not even average” on the 3rd place ribbons. I think they should reward the kids that shine with a ribbon and give everyone else certificates or nothing. At least then it isn’t highlighted who the real losers are. It’s easy to explain to my son that not everyone can win, harder to console him when it’s highlighted that he’s one of the worst. In the old days his lack of prowess wouldn’t have been labeled so obviously. He’d just be one of the majority that didn’t come first second or third. Talk about a “fairness” policy backfiring!

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:04:12 +0000

This is a great point ! The School Board Administrators are one ones who decide on ” We don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. ” This is a tragedy really ! We are teaching our children that they don’t have to compete……. wrong ! I don’t remember anyone in the corner upset because they didn’t win a ribbon at sports day when I was a kid…… ah….. but that was a long time ago ! Years ago one of my children was having a hard time in early elementary school and I asked in the parent teacher meeting if my child could be held back a year, Yes ! ( fail a grade ) They would not hear of such a thing…… It was a big deal ” Kids don’t fail anymore ! Why Not ? I have children in University now and let me tell you….. they fail you then ! If we don’t let are kids fail, they will never have the enjoyment of real success. Some of the most successful people I know have come from a lot of trial and error type businesses, etc. with several failures prior to great success. If we don’t teach them how to fail at something with their dignity and pride in themselves intact……. we will never be able to teach them to be successful at something with their dignity and pride intact.
There Is No True Success, Without Some Failures along the way !
There is more here as usual if you read between the lines of Tracy’s article…… Great Stuff !

By: bonnie

bonnie — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:33:54 +0000

EXACTLY!! It may be a “Canadian” thing where we are trying too hard to be politically “correct” and then end up losing the point of why we compete in the first place. Sheesh!
In our quest to avoid hurting some kids feelings we are actually giving them a false sense of reality. When they get out in the real world and have to compete for jobs and promotions etc., they will have a shock when their bosses don’t give them a pretty “thanks for participating” ribbon!

By: Janet

Janet — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:26:50 +0000

I ABSOLUTELY agree! My friends and I have discussed this as well. What’s the point of Sports Day! My kids just recently participated in a Track and Field Meet. They are good, and realize that there are kids that are better, and I can see them trying harder because they want a ribbon. Places 1-8 only get ribbons, so often there are 8-10 kids who get nothing! I personally think it’s good to be challenged, and strive to be better. Participaction – whatever. Let’s complain about how that isn’t fair, when my kids actually tried to do the event, and “Sally” got a ribbon anyway and didn’t do anything. (Or do I have the only kids that complain about the “lack” of participation of others?)
Seriously…what are we telling our kids…just barely participate (in anything), and you should get a reward. Where’s the drive to do and be better?

By: jacquie

jacquie — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:08:47 +0000

Tracy, I couldn’t agree more! We celebrate the math wizards and the spelling bee winners but the kids who excel at sports get a raw deal. When I was at school, oh, so many years ago, we all knew which kids were going to come first at Sports Day and they were like our idols for that one moment. I had my chance in the spotlight when my poems were read aloud in class, my girlfriend was a singer in the school play, etc. We got our officially recognized kudos.
I went through exactly what you’re talking about here when my own kids were in elementary school (but mine weren’t the athletic ones who were getting ripped off so I’m not talking as a disgruntled parent) . Most parents in general seem to support placement ribbons. It’s the school administrators who have taken the steps to eliminate real, healthy competition on Sports Day. I think some schools now call it Fun Day. At least that’s more fitting a title, sort of.

I think the kids of the new generation won’t have the same strong memories of Sports Day like we did and that’s a shame. It’s just another watered down day that will have very little impact on their emotional development. Just a ‘get out of classroom work’ day. That’s sad.