Some theory …

Competition is the expression of the desire to surpass oneself, do better and develop. Competition is one way among others to quantify surpassing oneself. It serves to compare, measure and discover strengths, motivate and stimulate. By observing models around him, the child defines what is possible to achieve and accomplish. Children quickly seek to imitate their parents or older siblings for the purpose of acquiring the same skills, trying to be like them and even outdoing them. Competition takes place with others (when one seeks to equal or surpass an adversary) and with self (when one seeks to surpass personal limits). Competition is healthy when adversaries of the same calibre face off. Victory is all the more satisfactory when one is able to use strengths, knowledge and creativity in the resolution of a situation.

How to stimulate the child's development through play...

Most games end with the victory of one participant. Prepare your child for the eventuality that he may not win every round of the game played. Before beginning a round, highlight the strengths of each player and how this will enhance competition (e.g., William knows his letters, but Jane is a quick observer). Verbally and socially gratify the winner: congratulate him in front of the others, give him access to a privilege that the other players may also share in (e.g., he chooses the snack for the group, he chooses the movie that everyone will watch that night). Encourage healthy competition by obliging the losers to congratulate the winner. To support your child in his search for excellence, invite him to ask the winner about the strategy used to win. You can also analyze the game with the children (e.g., “I think that the turning point in the game was when Alex paid careful attention to the players’ answers and was able to get the “embarrassed grandmother” card). Finally, the adult should balance the use of competitive games with games requiring cooperation and the sharing of strengths by each of the players.