When I was younger after completing a sport I remembered closing ceremonies where everyone got a trophy. I am going to be completely honest with you, we did not all deserve that trophy. This certain award is called a participation award and usually given to younger children to make them feel special. I mean this is a big-picture moment for most parents, and you can celebrate the end of a season. You are probably asking yourself, and why is this a bad thing? Well, let me tell you why.

Children that get handed things at a young age will start to expect them when they are older. The trophy that is handed out to everyone is called a participation award. This specific award is usually only given out when people are younger, so everyone can be a winner. This just isn't right, because it shows them that no matter what they still get an award. If children know this, it can cause them to not work as hard because they know they should get an award anyways making sports not as competitive anymore. The children who deserve recognization usually will not get any because everyone gets praised for just being there.

It may be a little harsh to a kid's ears, but not everyone wins. If you never learn to lose, you are never a winner period. Society wants to tell kids that they did amazing all the time, but not want to explain to them why they lost. Everything in the world is to win or lose in some way. You can score that new job, or not make the cut. You can make it into your dream college, or you can be denied. Either way, younger sports teams should not be telling everyone they are perfect when they are not. I don't mean talk down on someone, but maybe explain they had a good year, but need some improvement. Some people think improvement is bad, but it can actually help you in the future.

One year in cheer I got an award for most improved. I got up and happily accepted the award, but when I sat down I was a little upset because I was looking at it like I was terrible before. I had to tell myself that it is a good award, it wasn't the MVP award, but its improvement and that's a good thing. It took me all day to let myself know it wasn't bad, and I had to keep telling myself that. I don't know why I expected more when I know I wasn't the best tumbler or jumper on my cheer team, and that's when it clicked. This award showed me more than if I just got an award like everyone else. It showed me my coach noticed the hard work I had put in the sport even when I'm not the best, I still worked hard and improved which is all any coach wants and needs. I worked harder the next year and received the most school spirit award. Now, this isn't best jumps award or anything, but as a cheerleader, the most spirited on the team meant a whole lot. I am not sure I would have pushed myself anymore if my coach the previous year didn't notice my improvement. Everyone needs improvement somewhere, and I'm just glad I don't look at the word negatively anymore.

To close up on everything, it's not a bad thing to need improvement or let children know they need to earn an award. Personally, I would rather have my child learn the lesson at a young age, and be able to celebrate when they do get an award the deserve. I believe everyone should get an award at least once. I know as competitive as I am, If I saw someone get an award I wanted I would work harder the next year to achieve that goal. Don't make a loss a bad thing, make it into inspiration to want to be or do better. That would make sports, and life more enjoyable rather than giving up after you didn't get your way the first time.