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Original poster

Should sports day be optional?

364 replies

Nothinglefttosaynow · 17/05/2024 08:54

I remember dreading sports day as a child, I was slow & awkward and always near the end if not last. It was public embarrassment for me & I dreaded it. My nephew has sports day next week & is already worrying about it. He is fit and healthy but not a fast runner & has come last for the past 3 years. I absolutely agree with kids taking part in sport at school & at home, but I wonder if forcing kids who clearly don't enjoy it to participate in front of a crowd is fair.

OP posts:
SonicTheHodgeheg · 17/05/2024 09:02

Newuser75 · 17/05/2024 08:58

It does give everyone a chance to shine, and it certainly will be nice to boost the confidence of any child who is not academic but is very sporty.

However, sats, exams etc aren't done in full view of all the schools parents.

Show quote history

The people with excellent academic results often receive recognition at awards shows or have their name publicly published in the school newsletter or website.

Redlocks28 · 17/05/2024 09:02

Yes, I do! I hated it as a child, teacher and parent!

ilovesooty · 17/05/2024 09:01

When I taught it was very rare to have parents attending. When did this become the norm? No I don't think that children should be compelled to participate in front of crowds if they struggle physically or emotionally but some degree of competition in itself isn't necessarily damaging.

SonicTheHodgeheg · 17/05/2024 09:00

Technically Sports Day is optional because there’s no repercussions if you keep your child off.

I was a Sports Day hater which is a lot better than being crap at say maths which is a bigger part of the curriculum and impossible to avoid.

The kids know who is sporty regardless of whether or not SD is held but having parent spectators makes the fear worse.

Newuser75 · 17/05/2024 08:58

DaisyHaites · 17/05/2024 08:56

No. We shouldn’t protect kids from things they’re not good at.

Same with SATs - they give academic kids a time to shine, and sports day gives sporty kids a time to shine.

There’s plenty of things in life you might have to do that you’re not good at, or don’t want to do. Learning resilience is more important than being able to opt in and out.

And I truly, deeply HATED sports day.

It does give everyone a chance to shine, and it certainly will be nice to boost the confidence of any child who is not academic but is very sporty.

However, sats, exams etc aren't done in full view of all the schools parents.

frankentall · 17/05/2024 08:58

DaisyHaites · 17/05/2024 08:56

No. We shouldn’t protect kids from things they’re not good at.

Same with SATs - they give academic kids a time to shine, and sports day gives sporty kids a time to shine.

There’s plenty of things in life you might have to do that you’re not good at, or don’t want to do. Learning resilience is more important than being able to opt in and out.

And I truly, deeply HATED sports day.

Where in later life do I need to receive "training" for people ridiculing my inability to do something? Kids who can't do exams aren't forced to appear in front of the entire school and show how crap they are at maths.

Cadela · 17/05/2024 08:58

Dd HATED sports day last year, the set up was awful. She will be having the day off this year and we’ll be doing something fun.

Im all for encouraging kids to do things they’re not keen on, but sports day isn’t one of the things that is necessary to experience when it’s so horrible.

Original poster
Nothinglefttosaynow · 17/05/2024 08:58

DaisyHaites · 17/05/2024 08:56

No. We shouldn’t protect kids from things they’re not good at.

Same with SATs - they give academic kids a time to shine, and sports day gives sporty kids a time to shine.

There’s plenty of things in life you might have to do that you’re not good at, or don’t want to do. Learning resilience is more important than being able to opt in and out.

And I truly, deeply HATED sports day.

I find this stance really interesting. I think it's good to encourage resilience in kids & maybe not always winning does support that. I think it's the public embarrassment that I don't like. I understand SATS are difficult for some kids but realistically only you/your parents know, whereas being last to cross the finish line is very public. But I appreciate your view!

OP posts:
Fontainebleau007 · 17/05/2024 08:58

Yes, I definitely think it should be optional. I as a kid hated it, didn't want to do it and always found my friends left me and went off in their own groups and I was always alone.
On the other hand, my kids really enjoy it and really want to take part. I think it should be optional, if the child doesn't want to do it they don't have too.

daffodilesque · 17/05/2024 08:57

Do children HAVE to take part in competitive races? I was slow & not very good at sport, and I don't remember being forced to do anything on sports day.

frankentall · 17/05/2024 08:56

My experience was the same - I hated the ridicule I got for something I couldn't help (being shit at sports), so it's a yes from me. Kids are really cruel.

DaisyHaites · 17/05/2024 08:56

No. We shouldn’t protect kids from things they’re not good at.

Same with SATs - they give academic kids a time to shine, and sports day gives sporty kids a time to shine.

There’s plenty of things in life you might have to do that you’re not good at, or don’t want to do. Learning resilience is more important than being able to opt in and out.

And I truly, deeply HATED sports day.

Puygo · 17/05/2024 08:56

Yes I agree. My dc often tend to win and even they dread it. The crowds of parents watching and the pressure is just not fun. Kids should be encouraged to enjoy sports

fantasmasgoria1 · 17/05/2024 08:54

Yes I think it should be optional.

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