Last week I jumped on the media fed bandwagon and cheered for Mo’ne Davis. The 13-year old little league baseball player from Philadelphia captured the country’s attention because she is a girl succeeding in a boy dominated sport. It was great to see her inspire so many and to do so with such poise. Although I recognize that much of Mo’ne’s appeal was that it was an emotional feel-good news item, I also recognize that as educators and parents, we all want our students and children to be poised and successful. Because only a few like Mo’ne can rise to the top, it is important that we ensure that an elite level of success is not the defining measure for our students.
There is a fair amount of debate and lamenting about how, compared to the old days, we are too soft on children. There are some who feel it is a mistake to hand out too many trophies at competitive events and that doing so gives children a false sense of success. Building a child’s self-esteem however, is a responsibility that we should all take seriously. This has to include acknowledgement of doing well and more importantly, recognition of improvement or trying hard. Kids like Mo’ne are gifted but have also devoted a lot of time and energy to becoming so good. Let’s ensure that we establish a culture of improvement for our students that includes encouragement to persevere when things do not go well and an understanding that although society will always fixate on the elite, one’s own improvements and successes are just as important.
Defining success
Last week I jumped on the media fed bandwagon and cheered for Mo’ne Davis. The 13-year old little league baseball player from Philadelphia captured the country’s attention because she is a girl succeeding in a boy dominated sport. It was great to see her inspire so many and to do so with such poise. Although I recognize that much of Mo’ne’s appeal was that it was an emotional feel-good news item, I also recognize that as educators and parents, we all want our students and children to be poised and successful. Because only a few like Mo’ne can rise to the top, it is important that we ensure that an elite level of success is not the defining measure for our students.
There is a fair amount of debate and lamenting about how, compared to the old days, we are too soft on children. There are some who feel it is a mistake to hand out too many trophies at competitive events and that doing so gives children a false sense of success. Building a child’s self-esteem however, is a responsibility that we should all take seriously. This has to include acknowledgement of doing well and more importantly, recognition of improvement or trying hard. Kids like Mo’ne are gifted but have also devoted a lot of time and energy to becoming so good. Let’s ensure that we establish a culture of improvement for our students that includes encouragement to persevere when things do not go well and an understanding that although society will always fixate on the elite, one’s own improvements and successes are just as important.