"It was frustrating, wasn't it?" - A Kindergarten Teacher's Encouragement

Letting them compete properly

The other day, I participated in my daughter's kindergarten sports day.
Seeing my daughter take on higher-level challenges in various events than last year, I could feel her growth and learning.

What left a particularly strong impression on me was how the children experienced "competition" in relay races and footraces, and how the teachers provided encouragement that allowed them to fully accept the results, whether they won or lost.

By verbalizing their emotions with phrases like "It was frustrating, wasn't it?", the teachers conveyed a positive attitude toward the future to the children. I felt it was a wonderful way to interact, and it made me glad once again that I have entrusted my daughter to this kindergarten.

Here, based on this experience, I would like to deepen my thoughts from three perspectives: "the significance of competition," "verbalizing emotions," and "connecting to daily life."

The significance of experiencing "competition"

In the relay races and footraces, there were moments where the children ran with all their might and the results of winning and losing were clearly defined.

While there is a trend in some places today to avoid "competition," such as having everyone hold hands to reach the finish line together, I was surprised that this kindergarten clearly established winners and losers.

Children feel the joy of winning and the frustration of losing. Through that experience, they can learn how to come to terms with their own feelings—skills that will surely be useful in their future lives, such as "what should I do to win?" and "how do I shift my mindset when I lose?"

By experiencing this kind of "competition," especially during early childhood, I believe children are better prepared to face the realities of life that cannot be avoided, such as "things having consequences" and "efforts being rewarded or not."

Knowing the joy of winning builds confidence, and losing fosters the strength to overcome setbacks.

The importance of expressing "frustration" and "sadness" in words

What was impressive at the sports day was how the teachers carefully verbalized the children's emotions. For example, by expressing feelings in words to a child who lost, such as "That was frustrating, wasn't it?" or "You felt sad, didn't you?", the children were able to understand their own feelings and gain the strength to move on to the next step.

Verbalizing emotions is important not only for deepening children's self-understanding but also for enriching communication with those around them.

By not denying negative emotions like frustration or sadness, but rather acknowledging their existence, children can be honest with their own feelings. And that becomes the driving force for growth, making them want to try again!

Sports day is "just a milestone"

Also, one of the reasons I felt this kindergarten's sports day was wonderful was because it seemed to be based on the recognition that "sports day is a milestone."

The results of the competition are only for that moment, and it does not end when the sports day is over; it is connected to the kindergarten life that follows from the next day onwards.

For example, by having the teacher say things like, "You lost today, but if you practice again from tomorrow, maybe you can win next time," or "Let's have another footrace!", the children naturally learn the values that "effort is something that can be continued" and "growth lies in the accumulation of daily efforts."

I believe this is the essence of education, and that the attitude of applying the experiences gained from special events to daily life fosters the strength that will help children overcome difficulties in their future.

Parental involvement after the sports day

Events like sports day are not only the culmination of education, including the preparation period, but also a place that provides hints for child-rearing at home.

What you can do as a parent is not to let such events end as just an "event," but to use them as a time to watch over your child's growth and share their emotions.

For example, by asking after the sports day, "Were you frustrated today?" or "How did you feel?", it becomes easier for the child to organize their own emotions.

And through questions like "What do you want to do next?" or "What would you like to try your best at?", you can encourage positive thinking.