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
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 8
8-10
11-15
16 and
older
Children under 8
Competition for children 7 and under
can be risky.
Younger
than 8
8-10
11-15
16 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 8
8-10
11-15
16 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 8
8-10
11-15
16 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 8
8-10
11-15
16 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