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| quotescover.com |
One of the worst, most profoundly harmful quotes of Vince Lombardi is "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." Gifted students carry an unmanageable burden when this is the voice playing in their head. We want our students to prosper and take risks, but if they are too afraid to fail, we may never see all they can achieve.
For many of our gifted students, local competitions generally result in a win, a trophy, or a certificate of achievement. When they stretch themselves and compete in a larger pond, the ribbon counts diminish significantly. This does not necessarily mean that their research was not exceptional, but learning how to lose gracefully is a hard, humbling, and necessary lesson for all.
Research is a process, not a competition. When we enter the gifted student into a competition, we subtly shift the focus from process to end product. While I understand that it is important for students to have authentic audiences evaluating their work, for many students, the extrinsic motivation of a ribbon or medal can sometimes detract from the learning. It is essential to remember that when students spend time investigating a topic, adults can be the guide keeping them focused on the process. What we say to children can help them combat negative self-talk, anxiety and disappointment. How we say it is even more significant. Kids need to hear that we are proud of their decision to tackle a research project on top of their demanding work load. Children need to know that they are loved no matter the outcome. If we spend too much time focused on winning a medal, a child can equate loss with decreased value. We can learn from our mistakes by failing, finding new alternatives, and learning the pathways that were unsuccessful. As adults, we can honor and empathize with the sadness they feel for not winning, and remind them how many times they fell before they walked.
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| collectivelyconscious.com |
