Effective Principals 2020 | Dr. Wilfred Noronha, Principal of St. Peter’s School

Teaching children about healthy sense of competition and not get lost or disheartened by the mad rat race.

It is true that modern society boasts of cut throat competition everywhere. In every sector we see competition taking place.

Even the children are not far from it. They have been conditioned to compete at every level right from poetry recitation in KG to CGPA exams in engineering.

It cannot be denied that this attitude might help them sharpen their skills but disheartens them if they fail to succeed. The set back of not making it is more devastating than the satisfaction of achievement.

The need of the hour therefore is that children should be guided carefully into indulging themselves in healthy competition and to keep an optimistic approach to competition.

Before indulging in competition they need to learn to cooperate. It means that Parents and teachers need to encourage this.

Parents can cultivate this feeling among their young ones that they need to be better first for themselves. Then they can compete with others.

Their fist competition should be with themselves. Competition isn’t only about winning or losing. For children, it means learning to share and take turns.

Healthy competition teaches kids empathy, the pride that comes with hard work, and the self-esteem of knowing they tried their best.

But these honourable attributes don’t develop overnight, they take practice and guidance. Here’s how you can help:

RESPECTING OTHERS FEELINGS

Remember, everybody wants to win and you need to respect that. If you show scant respect for your competitors and win, your victory will not be appreciated by others.

If you are respectful to all those in competition with you and wish them luck before the competition and then win, the amount of love and respect that you will receive will be a greater joy than winning itself and that is what is required, “Satisfaction.”

INSTILL EMPATHY

Winning is great but forgetting others’ feelings can quickly create a situation where a child is perceived as unkind.

Healthy competition means being a good friend and supportive of others, even if they lose. Teach them to be empathetic.

TEACH THEM ABOUT TEAMWORK & MOTIVATE THEM TO TRY THEIR BEST

Children with a healthy sense of competition learn from an early age that they should try their best and give their all to everything they do. Help them to work as a team.

FIND A BALANCE

Winning isn’t everything and trying to win at everything can be exhausting and make kids feel like they’re under too much pressure.

Part of having a healthy sense of competition is, understanding that you’re not going to be good at everything, and that’s okay.

INCENTIVIZE IT

Just like adults, kids like working towards a goal. Whether it is an extra hour of screen time or a sweet treat, associating competition with earning something they want is a good way to get kids excited to work hard, especially if you’re working with siblings.

If there’s an issue between siblings, have them work towards it together to get the prize instead of competing against each other.

On that note, let me sum up, when the approach is such that it helps children that their biggest competition is with their own fears and doubts, the results are bound to come in the form of bigger victories, and these tender buds then grow into well-rounded individuals with an indomitable spirit.

Dr. Wilfred Noronha,

Principal & Trustee

St. Peter’s School, Panchgani.

Inspirational Quote

“I am in competition with no one.

I run my own race.

I have no desire to play the game of being better than anyone.

I just aim to improve to be better than I was before.

That’s me, and I’m free.”

Who We Are

St. Peter’s School, Panchgani, was founded in 1904 as an all-boys’ boarding school. Nestled, high up in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.

With a 58-acre (23 ha) campus amidst an abundance of flora & clean air, this prestigious school provides a healthy environment, rich in nature, that gives the young student a home of learning away from home.

Promoting the legacy of 116 years, the school prides itself on its rich heritage, of culture and discipline, providing students with an environment to grow into young men with strong roots and wings for success.