m and a power to say no (Krucoff 1998). Competition is a very vital aspect of children involved in sports that offers many positive outcomes and teaches a variety of life skills. Competition is necessary for excellence and a child needs competitors who are not much better or worse at sports for this development to be essential. Without worthy opponent and challenges sports I not so much fun. The better the challenge the better opportunity a child has to go beyond his or her limits. Competition begins early in life even before a childs first birthday. There is constant competition for attention, toys, and time. Young children are bombarded with messages concerning competition often from parents (Tye 1997). Be the best! We want you to be #1 Have fun, its just a game Give it your best shot Winners never give up!Parents expect from these messages for their child to develop a healthy competitive attitude with success and self-esteem. This is often true.Competition is an important means in motivating children to make the most of their potential in many areas throughout life. The ultimate goal of competition is challenging oneself and to improve, the outcome does not matter and children will feel good about oneself for doing the best that they can. Competition and the winning and losing aspect of this in sports can be used to build character in and gain a degree of self-knowledge in young children. Teamwork, perseverance, commitment, dedication, sportsmanship, loyalty, self-discipline, and compassion for others are all positive traits children can learn through competition. Many are opposed to starting competition at a young age, but supporters say if it does not start at the elementary level, children wont be ready for high school. The goal is to be on the team and to get scholarship money. Teaching the skills and giving kids the experience of competition at an early age they are prepared. In order to get college scouts to come...
