7 min read
October 29, 2024
At Gymfinity Kids, we believe that play is a powerful force for learning and growing, and competitive play has its own special role to play in helping kids develop.
We all know that play is essential in childhood, but competitive play brings unique benefits to a child’s physical, mental, and emotional growth. Whether it’s a football game, a board game with friends, or one of our exciting gymnastics or ninja competitions at Gymfinity Kids, competitive play is packed with opportunities for children to grow.
Let’s dive into how it can help shape young lives!
Defining Competitive Play
First, what exactly is competitive play? Competitive play is a structured activity where players or teams compete against each other to win.
This could take the form of team sports like basketball or gymnastics, organized games like video games or chess, or even school competitions like spelling competitions or science fairs.
In contrast, non-competitive play doesn’t involve direct competition or a clear winner. For example, playing tag in the school playground or building a fort together is more about the shared experience rather than who comes out on top.
Both types of play are important, but competitive play provides a different set of challenges and rewards that encourage growth. Sports, video games, and school competitions are some of the most common competitive activities kids engage in, and each offers distinct benefits that help kids grow in various ways.
Physical Development Through Competitive Play
In the world of competitive play, physical activities stand out for their benefits to a child’s development.
When kids participate in sports or other physical competitions, they’re building more than just their muscles. They’re improving motor skills, coordination, strength, and endurance. Running, jumping, balancing – these actions require a lot of skill and effort, and with each game or match, children can get better and stronger. There’s a lot of truth in practice makes perfect!
Routine physical activity is crucial for overall health and fitness, and it’s a big part of what we encourage at Gymfinity Kids. Our award system celebrates kids who keep pushing their physical boundaries, improving their skills, and staying active through our gymnastics and ninja programs. Explore our in-house Awards Scheme here.
We also offer competitions for the children to participate in. For recreational gymnastics, children compete in their own club. And our higher-level gymnasts and ninjas (squad level) will compete against multiple Gymfinity Clubs and sometimes members from other clubs!
These competitions really help the children go above and beyond, discover their capabilities and retain focus in their classes as they’re training for an end goal: the competitive event.
From improving flexibility to building stamina, competitive play offers kids the chance to develop the physical tools they’ll need for life.
Cognitive Skills and Problem-Solving
Competitive play isn’t just about moving bodies, it’s also about exercising the mind. When kids compete, they have to think strategically, plan ahead, and solve problems in real-time. Whether they’re plotting their next chess move, figuring out how to outsmart an opponent in a video game, or deciding on the best routine in gymnastics, competition demands focus and critical thinking.
Board games like checkers or strategic sports like basketball encourage children to sharpen their minds while they play. They learn to anticipate the actions of others, make quick decisions, and adapt their strategies.
When it comes to our ninja classes, the children often have to think quickly on their feet as they come across obstacles and challenges they may not have encountered before. They may need to rethink the positioning of their feet, and how they want to hit the wall to perform a flip or adjust their run-up to a piece of apparatus.
Through competitive play, kids learn how to stay focused, improve attention, and think creatively, all key skills they’ll use in school and beyond.
Emotional Development and Resilience
Winning and losing is part of life, and competitive play can be one of the first ways kids experience these emotions. Whether it’s the joy of a victory or the disappointment of a loss, competition teaches children how to process their feelings and build emotional resilience. At Gymfinity Kids, we see firsthand how kids learn to handle both triumph and defeat with grace and determination.
Losing a game or a match can be tough, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to develop resilience. Learning to pick yourself up, try again, and work harder next time is an essential life skill. Kids also learn sportsmanship; how to be gracious winners and empathetic toward others who might not win.
We run a Values Recognition Scheme in our clubs where we reward children who demonstrate our core values in our classes. Such values include Determination which can be seen during competitive play.
Determination can help children develop resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks – they can learn to persevere and bounce back from failures, which is essential for building confidence and maintaining a positive attitude towards achieving their goals.
One of the most valuable lessons competitive play teaches is how to work with others. Team sports like football, gymnastics, or relay races require kids to communicate, collaborate, and sometimes lead their peers. These interactions build social skills that will serve them in all areas of life.
Children also learn conflict resolution and negotiation. In a competitive setting, disagreements might arise, but they learn to solve problems through communication and compromise – skills that are just as valuable off the field as they are on it.
Building Confidence and Self-Esteem
There’s nothing like the boost of confidence that comes from winning a game or achieving a personal best. Competitive play gives kids the opportunity to feel proud of their accomplishments, boosting their self-esteem. And even when they don’t win, learning to persevere, improve, and try again builds a strong sense of self-worth.
At Gymfinity Kids, we celebrate effort and progress through our Values Recognition Scheme and Award Scheme, recognizing kids for their hard work and improvement. We encourage kids to see the value in participation and growth, rather than focusing only on winning.
Finding Balance
While competition is exciting and beneficial, balance is key. Kids need time to engage in non-competitive activities too. At Gymfinity Kids, we encourage a balanced approach, reminding children (and parents!) that effort, improvement, and having fun are more important than winning.
We love to see teamwork and friendships bloom in our clubs, as we know they can be integral to morale and inspire children to continue trying.
Parental Guidance in Competitive Play
Parents play an important role in supporting their children’s involvement in competitive activities. Encourage a healthy attitude toward competition, focusing on growth and effort, rather than just the outcome.
Help your child manage the stress or frustration that can come with competition, and remind them that it’s okay to lose as long as they’ve done their best. Support will help the children thrive – we have some top tips on how to encourage kids to try a new sport if your child is nervous about trying out a new activity.
At Gymfinity Kids, we support children’s competitive play in a way that’s fun, safe, and growth-oriented. Through our competitions and award scheme, we encourage kids to set personal goals, work hard, and celebrate their successes!
