Does this damage children

Sports day at my school was held on a Saturday so as not to interfere with classes. Attendance was entirely voluntary.

My father asked my games mistress to explain this, as he found it strange.

She replied, “Mr Moo, not every girl at this school can have a special talent. We must think of those girls too. So we hold Sports Day for them”

Thanks for your summing up Eleothan. We should remember that these are Primary school children I am talking about and at this age many of those who are 'good' at sport are simply older and bigger than the rest of the year. There can be a whole year's difference in age and development.
The days when we gave children in primary schools positions in class and published individual results for academic work are (thank goodness) long past. We recognise that children develop at different rates with differing abilities and we give praise wherever it is due. Perhaps if this philosophy was carried out into the sports arena more children would be encouraged and continue to participate in sports instead of most dropping it as soon as they are able as they do now.

rubysong I peaked too early at Sports Day trials when I discovered I could hurdle, which came as a big surprise to everyone as I couldn’t run or jump and spent a lot of PE time hiding out at the top of the field with the other smokers.

On the day my class was barred from entering any events because of some misdemeanour or other. My brilliant athletics career stalled right there.

When the DC we at primary school I ran in the mothers' race and fell flat on my face. Yes, it was humiliating. The dads' race was next and a father fell in exactly the same place. Than made me feel much better and I have always liked him because of it, (though I'm sure he didn't do it deliberately).

From my own childhood I hated sports day. As a teenage there was a house meeting to decide who would do which event and they were left with me and discus, so that's what I had to do. I wasn't very accurate and almost deprived a student teacher of his manhood when my discus went off course and he was sitting on the grass too close.

I don't think we had sports days when I was at Primary school.
Only at secondary, and I can't remember any parents being there. I had a good partner for the 3 legged race - we used to practice and usually won. I've got photo somewhere, from the local paper.

I can see both points of view, particularly the point that Iam64 makes re the importance of recognising sporting achievement for children who may not shine so much academically (though I also think there's a risk that some children might get "pigeonholed" as sporty a bit too early in life).

However, I think that the emphasis on competitiveness in both academia and sport at school (and in later life) is not such a desirable thing. That is, of course, my point of view and others will feel differently, saying we would never have had progress if it were not for the competitive spirit.

I'm not so sure about that. I think human beings achieve more when they cooperate with one another towards a common goal, rather than compete against one another for individual glory. And it feels so much nicer too to work with other people, contribute what you can and learn from others' contributions, than to keep everything to yourself in order to be top dog.

With that in mind, I agree with trisher that sports day should be a fun occasion. If parents turn it into a serious affair it is no wonder children lose sight of doing and learning things for the pleasure and sense of achievement it brings - not for some sort of external reward determined by someone else. In some ways you can't blame them though because that is the sort of world we live in.

Really Trisher, you call posters pathetic and then do exactly the same thing yourself .It is your opinion about things not being right, and only your opinion, others hold different views.

I certainly would not accuse teachers of fixing sports day. I would say they choose the best pupil for each event in the spirit of competion. I would also like to see the winners celebrated, no problem with that.
Yes you always have stupid pushy parents, nothing new there, but most parents are not like that.

I like to see a competitive sports day and the winners given a accolade. like I said my daughter was very very academic, she was not good at sport and never won anything, but she still enjoyed the day.
Also schools should all be inclusive and that means tapping into the potential of all children including those good at sports. How else can talent stand out without competition.

I agree with fully on sometimes the error is not a mistake it is blatant favouritism. They are lucky to be having a competative sports day at dgs school kids are not allowed to compete in case some children lose. It is unfair as kids who are good at sport are often not good accademically. Sports day may be the only place they will ever shine but are denied this opportunity whereas kids who are good accademically are not denied their chance to shine. All talents should be celebrated equally. In sports they have reviews in cricket and cars in football as officials do make mistakes. If a clear mistake has been made teachers should reverse decision. As a teacher if I was proven wrong the thing to do is apologise and put mistake right not deny you could ever be wrong.

I didn't like maths, wasn't good at it from primary into high school. I was good at English and History, so the maths teacher took the view I was being lazy, I wasn't, I was trying very hard. This experience didn't lead me to conclude that maths exams should be cancelled.
Some children are good at sports and why shouldn't they have the opportunity to enjoy their successes?
There are unpleasantly pushy parents - poor children I say. That also doesn't mean that sports day should be seen as something to be ashamed of.

I said "Had" to run a race not "chose" to.
Really some of the animosity people exhibit when you question and point out that they are posting things that are not necessarily true or right is pathetic. I haven't said there should be no competition. I have pointed out that actually teachers often 'fix' sports days by assigning chldren to particular events and making judgements about close calls that even things out. I also said that by Year 6 most of the children know who is good at sports and recognise that those people will usually win. I have said that assuming a child is happy because others are applauding is not necessarily true. Some children hide hurt and anguish by being the class clown.
The point is that all of you posting about how great competition is are the thin end of the wedge that finishes with pushy parents who dispute every decision. I know you will disagree with this. If there is to be a sports day in a primary school it should be a relaxed fun day with children given opportunities that suit them, winners acknowledged briefly with a sticker and all taking part receiving an award. It shouldn't be regarded as training for life, competetive sports, the Olympics or any other event. Those who wish to be involved in such things can do so in their own time.

Well, one would, the other would be very embarrassed! She's reaching that age.

Sorry, I may fall over
We could roll to the finishing line, that would be hilarious.

The DGC would love it.

Maybe I can join you in the Grand three legged race Jalima, now that would be fun. I want us to win though.

Apparently, that is 'humiliating'.
Actually, he seems to love the limelight as they all yell his name, won't repeat it on here as it is quite unusual, but one that lends itself well to shouting encouragement.

As for your comment about obese children I did not mention anything about that as it up for the school and the parents to come to a agreement about said child taking part.
It was me who was the one to mention the obese child rafichagran - a friend of DGS who always runs, always joins in and is very popular; all the other children in the school (all 40 or so of them) cheer him on to complete the race. Lots of hugs and slaps on the back from his friends at the end as they all want him to 'complete the race'.
Apparently, that is 'humiliating'.

Perhaps I'll run in the Grannies' race next week - but I will probably trip over my own feet (now that would be humiliating), but I don't mind coming last. Perhaps DIL's mum and I can hold hands and run together.

Read the postTrisher I am asking why a child who is sporty and wins things should not be recognised in the way children who are good at academic subjects are.
As for your comment about obese children I did not mention anything about that as it up for the school and the parents to come to a agreement about said child taking part. Why should sporty children be penalised
When did I last run a race, although I think it is none of your business, It was at my children's sports day when I came in at a respectable position. My children told me how proud they were of me.
My partner is a marathon runner and when I give up full time work and I can commit to the training I can assure you I will be competitive and will be looking for the best times for my age group. Also alot ofcharities will be alot better off as I will run for them.

It's only "wrong" if an adult challenges it. If everyone shut up and let the first result stand the kids would accept it. Different if the kids themselves think there was a wrong call.

A friend's child recently had an accident which resulted in his having to have plastic surgery. Something went through his cheek. His mother thinks he was far less damaged by the accident that by his grandmother's hysterics for the length of time it took his mum to get to the scene.

When my kids fell over as toddlers I took no notice - they simply got up and ran on. If Mums panic kids think something bad has happened and start to cry. They also lose confidence.

Can you think of the last time you had to run a race ?
I can't remember the last time I was forced to have a piano lesson either, or an audition in front of everyone to join the school choir (failed), but, unless all are given the opportunities to undertake all these activities, then no-one will ever find out what they are good at.

There would be no athletics events, no Olympics, no marathons etc etc.

But that's OK, we must never compete, we must all be equal.

Yet an obese child is expected to run in public
None of the children are forced to compete.
And I never said that he was forced - he wants to join in.

Please stop taking what I said and twisting it around.
Shall I say that I think the fault lies not with the school but with his mother for feeding him a constant diet of junk food?
I suppose that would be wrong and judgmental of me.

We don't say we won't do maths or English because some children are not good at it.
Nor rafichagran do we expect dyslexic students to produce the same standard of work, or to openly compete with other children showing everyone how bad they are at reading and writing. Yet an obese child is expected to run in public. And of course reading and writing are essential to cope with everyday life. Can you think of the last time you had to run a race ?

I think most do (although we have dire warnings nowadays about not putting photos on social media, fair enough), but I witnessed the 'stopwatch brigade' 35 years ago!

Oh dear, as a teacher for many years how did I remain so naive?
I thought parents photographed and videoed Sports Day simply to have a record of their small children having fun!

DGC attend,

^ I'm not sure wiggling along with an egg on a spoon will combat obesity.^
That may have been one race I did win at infant school
It's all to do with dexterity, not speed!

I agree rafichagran - and some children who are not so academic may be given a chance to shine in the sack race or throwing a bean bag.

Actually, they do many other things than just running races at the schools my DGC, for instance yoga.

Keep sports day, keep it competitive, and let those who are good, get recognition for it. We don't say we won't do maths or English because some children are not good at it.