To compete or not to compete?
Tuesday January 6, 2009
Kristen asked an interesting question in the Homeschooling Forum.
My two oldest boys are close in age and have always been competitive. My husband is also very competitive so maybe that's where they get it (or maybe it's just a guy thing). They love competing in sports and video games - they'll even make up games and ways to compete. So, in our homeschool, I have made certain things "competitive -ish" such as who can collect the most reward stickers or who can name the most states without messing up. They seem to really enjoy it and they're learning, too. In the process of making flash cards for yet another competitive game, I started to wonder if so much competition - especially within family - is good. Sure, they have a lot of fun doing it, but am I teaching them something that will hurt them in the future?Share your thoughts here or in the forum.What do you think? Am I utilizing or antagonizing?
Comments
Ive been home schooled for six grades, Ive been in school for some. I hate being homeschooled, but my mom makes me. The matter of if you like being home schooled all depends on the kid, if the kid likes it then stick with it till he doesnt like it. A downside of being home schooled is, you don’t have a place to make lots of friends.
I think competition can be a good thing as it can motivate you to do your best. I tried to discourage competition between my children as one was gifted (started college at 16) and the other one while a good student wasn’t as advanced. I encouraged them to compete with themselves. Can I do better then I did last time?
My less advanced son has a 4.0 GPA in his college class so the compete with yourself method does work.
I think that, as long as your boys are learning and having fun with it, go for it. I am definately in the “whatever works for you” camp. If/when the day ever comes when it is too much: you’re the mom and you’ll know it. Trust your instincts and follow your boys’ lead.