As C approaches the end of reception year we had our first sports day. He is VERY competitive - his year end school report was great but they referenced the best way to get him interested in something is to make it a "challenge"!! He's also one of the tallest children in his class with very long legs so has always enjoyed physical activity. We spent the evening before talking about how it really doesn't matter if you don't win - just do your best. We had a heart smile moment when he said "Mummy, losing is learning"! Nevertheless, we headed down the school path wondering how the afternoon would unfold. 5 events for year R - a running race, a foam javelin throw, an egg and spoon race, a standing jump competition and a bean bag race.
Out trotted all the children to the Rocky theme tune (so much for not being competitve!) and the games began. First up running race - it was head to head with the tallest girl in the class but he clinched it at the line. A very smiley happy boy shouted out to us that he got first place as he proudly collected his 1st place sticker.
Then on to the javelin thow (foam javelins) - as Daddy played American Football and baseball he was secretly hoping C had inherited his strong arm. He stepped up to the line and launched a javelin which glided off the end of the course! Another 1st place.........
Now the standing jump - stand on the line and jump as far as you can by bending your legs and leaping like a frog. Long legs should help here.............and, yes, a foot in front earned him another 1st place.
Now egg and spoon - sure this one would trip him up as he's not patient at all and the balance could be a problem. The whistle blew and the look of concentration on his face was fierce as he sped down the track......another first!
Just one more event, the bean bag race -where you have 3 bean bags at different distances from the start and you have to collect all 3 and put them in a bucket. A few false starts as the children weren't entirely sure what they were supposed to do. Finally they got under way and he used his logic to go for the furthest one first - while everyone else went for the closest one - while they were all running down for the last one he was already finished......another first!
Now here's my dilemma - 5 events, 5 firsts and a very happy boy. Should we encourage it or filter our excitement? In the big real world losing is learning but you have to want to win........If your child shows athletic ability is it wrong to want them to win? Our parenting approach has been to let him try anything he wants to but not to make him do anything he doesn't want to and, from that, we've grown a well balanced 5 year old who has interests in lots of areas (academic and physical). Daddy was a professional sportsman so understands what it takes but was never pushed into it by his parents - he was successful because he had a hunger and wanted it.
I know it's just reception year sports day but starting next year he's going to get involved with a few competitive sports to see what his strengths are and I'm not ashamed to say I'm hoping we have the next Usain Bolt. Rory Underwood or Michael Phelps.....but if we don't, we'll settle for a well-rounded kid who enjoys the spirit of healthy competition! For now I'm one very proud Mummy!
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