At a point in time, Awards, Shields, Medals were very rare for the Children. Hence, those prizes were treated with Pride and due Respect. Nowadays, Event organizers and Institutions see to that each and every child gets a prize.

Of course, Awards and Prizes provide great encouragement to Children, but receiving them often, makes them become more Complacent. Hence their Urge and Eagerness to taste the real Victory, fades away as they move on. It also results in the Mediocre performances. Appreciation makes them happy, but Criticism and Failure would make them unhappy and frustrated.

A recent research in Oxford involved having many children draw a picture in front of many Observers and Judges. The Children who were very smart and appreciated by everyone, could not draw because they felt insecure and a fear of failure. They were overcautious to not get their name spoiled, if they failed to create a good picture.

A Child who has real innate potential in Sports or Arts will get engrossed and immersed in the process of accomplishing the Task and enjoy the unexpected twists and turns in the process of doing it. They are not worried about the Awards or Prizes.

Just getting recognition or an Award while participating in a Competition... Is it an Organic growth? If there are no hurdles or obstacles in achieving something, and no challenging work for their Brains, Complacency would set in and they would not Progress further.

Raising a Child is an Art. Teachers and Parents must be cautious in Criticising as well as in Appreciating. They should not keep reprimanding them for all their wrong doings. They have to help them identify the mistakes they commit and correct them. They should also examine the root cause of their mistakes and the circumstances that led to them committing such mistakes. They should try to observe and eliminate their negative thoughts, and correct their wrong actions.

Punishing only the wrong doers and Appreciating everyone else is not a healthy approach. Also, giving away Awards to everyone, just to make them happy, whether or not they have achieved something will not help them Grow.

“You don’t have to be Perfect. Bad performance is also OK. Small Steps are Progress. Asking for Help is Strength. Keep Moving Onward while Learning on the Way.”