To think that nursery/ reception sports days should not be overly competitive

[ReallyTired]

Dd had her sports day yesterday and there weren't any of the usual fun races like egg and spoon, dressing up races or three legged races. Instead it was run more like an atheletics meet. The childen spent most of the time sitting around watching.

The children run in groups of four and every child got a sticker. Even the child who came last. Some of the nursery children were very upset at coming last in all their races. The groups were oddly chosen. For example my daughter was in a group of boys. Another group had 3 SEN kids and one child who is physically quite able. The NT could could have run the race walking!

Seven years go my son's reception sports day was more enjoyable. The children were in teams and each took part in a carasol of ten events. The child with the highest score in each event got a certificate and there were no stickers for the losers. I feel that the chidlren enjoyed the event far more.

Bruthas sadly the DC do that for one another VERY quickly. In year 1 my DD is completely aware that she is not the best or even in the middle for reading....she sees and the others see that she is on an easier book than they are...they say things. "You're reading a baby's book" etc.

I agree though that there is not enough celebration of academics. Those who are bright like my other DD aren't celebrated. I think they should have spelling bees so she can have a bloody chance to win something!

I think the reasons you didn't like it have got little to do with who got a sticker, or that it was too competitive. It was just badly thought out.

DD's sports day (nursery -> Y3) was well done, IMO. They circulated in class groups through field and track events and everyone scored points for their team according to how they did. They then had a whole series of "fun" relay races, where the teacher in charge skilfully made sure it really was fun by including in a bunch of Y7 pupils who happened to be around - they were mixed into the teams and helped/ clowned / raced each other to the death and were really really sweet with the younger ones.

At the end of the day there were prizes (medals) for the boy and girl from each year group who had scored most points through the day, and for the boy and girl in each year group who the PE staff felt had made most effort in PE lessons through the year. The winning team got a round of applause and everyone got a sticker. All in all it was competitive, but not ruthlessly so, and everyone felt that whatever points they had scored had contributed towards their team.