is there anything that your dc's do that doesn't involve grading, exams, competing etc..?

It is possible to learn to do things properly without grades and exams. In Sweden there has never been a system of grades or exams for musical instruments: we do still manage to turn out some pretty good performers. If a child is keen you can get them to a high level of performance, amateur or professional- which I assume is what you would define as "learning properly"- regardless of whether the incentive is a grade or just the chance to play a more difficult piece.

Dd is learning lots from her drama school even though it's not graded.

DD2 goes to the local youth theatre. It's dirt cheap and no grades or exams, they just seem to have fun, like a drama class. They only take from Year 6, though. Maybe your local theatre runs something like this?

If they persist in eating it raw that's fine-n my Cub claims he likes it like that!

Thanks, Cat64

Do they enjoy it any less if they've been shown how to make sure the dough's not raw?

I don't know why, but that really made me giggle, seeker. The voice of common sense stands up against years of raw dough scouting.

DS2 is in two different rock bands but also does some 'serious' music stuff too.

Absolutely you can! Sorry- didn't mean to imply that I thought you couldn't.

you can learn to do something "properly"without being tested/graded and getting medals, badges and awards

"seeker - I do like my DC to work towards goals most of the time,and so do they, but it's equally important to do something for sheer enjoyment in the moment, don't you think?"

Absolutely. And my 10 year old Cub rolls round in mud and eats raw dough too. But he's also learned how to sail a boat, paddle a canoe and read a map. Both really important parts of Cub life.

I don't think the sheer enjoyment in the moment is necessarily taken away by doing things properly. Do they enjoy it any less if they've been shown how to make sure the dough's not raw?

DS goes to a dance (for fun and exercise) class . No grades no shows etc.

He also goes to bike club, not competitive in itself , just cycle training and bike handling skills, but lots of the children ( including DS) do race as well, so that may not fit your criteria.

Swimming lessons, don't seem competitive to my eyes, just working at their own pace to achieve the skills. some spend 3 terms in each level, some progress faster. Once he can "swim" we will drop teh lessons and just swim for fun ( and body boarding) .

The only After school club he does is cookery.

Racingheart it pretty much is but also the people who run it are so well knowledgeable. In the summer it was fossil hunting & they could not only spot them in the cliff but also name them.

Seeker it's about balance for us. DS also plays tennis for a team & his competitive side has been known to show itself there

Do people not like the idea of their children learning how to do things properly?

I think its a matter of balance. Some things need doing 'properly' (no point at all doing eg a martial art and not doing gradings). Some things are still valuable but there won't be any grading or competition - Wildlife Watch good example. My DD used to do that till windsurfing took over her weekends - which she does for fun but likes getting new skills ticked off in her logbook, and maybe someday she'll want to compete.

munstermum, that sounds idyllic.

seeker - I do like my DC to work towards goals most of the time,and so do they, but it's equally important to do something for sheer enjoyment in the moment, don't you think?

DS goes to a Wildlife Watch session once a month. It's the kids arm of the Wildlife Trust & the activities are free. This weekend it was a visit to see/hold chameleon, bearded dragon etc. Last month was clearing a patch of ground & putting up nest boxes followed by pumpkin soup & toasting marshmallows over the fire made to burn rubbish.

Do people not like the idea of their children learning how to do things properly?

dd does ballett and does not do exams because she does not want to. Similarly with ds and the guitar. dd also belongs to a book club. They both play tennis too - no matches or anything just games learning how to hit the ball.

Cubs. They do badges but the main point of going seems to be to roll around in mud and woodland, then eat raw dough 'cooked' on a open fire.

Multi sports. They muck around and try out a different sport each week.

Rugby. Like cubs but wearing studs. With chips afterwards.

Orchestra - purpose - to keep them out of the cold during winter lunchtimes and to provide parents with near hysterical laughter when they 'play' live at Christmas.

seeker - I do sometimes think about those pieces of paper. I'm teaching DSs to play the piano myself and don't envisage doing exams. I have a few pieces of paper that I've never actually used in my working life, but I think I'll take another view when they are older/more advanced and see if they would benefit from those few pieces of paper. It's worth bearing in mind. At least now it's only in my mind, not theirs.

ggirl - you've described my DS1. But he's got a lot better at joining in these days. I guess with experience comes the ability to gauge how likely you'd be kicked where it hurts.

ds does football
not really competitive cos he hardly gets played cos he's too scared to tackle

mine do brownies and guides and it's not because I'm the brownies leader or anything

they do badges but to get a badge they have to do their best work and as long as they give it a good bash then they get the badge

a brownie guide thinks of other before herself and does a good turn everyday
well -they try lol

Be warned though- I deliberately chose dd's dance class because they didn't do exams. She is now 15, has been dancing since she was 3 and lost outon a brilliant opportunity in the summer because she didn't have the bits of paper to show for it. So if they are doing whatever it is reasonably seriously and they can get the grades or whatever without much stress it's worth doing it.

DC go to Woodcraft Folk, so they still exist. I think you can get badges as well, like for identifying trees and beasts. But I don't know for sure ...

One of 9y DD's drama class has no exams or assessments, just lots of fun and confidence building. She loves it.

Dd also does Brownies, although she does do badges in that I guess.

And she does Chatterbooks, which is a book club run at the library - again no assessments involved.

The climbing she does can also be done with no tests or assessments. DD has chosen to do her levels but lots go and don't bother.