I think there should be a 1st, 2nd and third place ribbon as it shows their achievements. A participation ribbon to everyone else will also show they participated, but doesn’t really push anyone to strive if everyone gets a participation award, especially those who have performed at the top and are not recognised for their achievements.

I remember a birthday party I organised for one of my kids when in Kindy, resulted in drama cause those who didn’t won a price started crying. So much so that I quit the party games and we did something else instead. Kids need a certain maturity to learn to deal with losing. I don’t say you have to avoid this, it’s good to help them to learn to deal with this (but maybe not in a birthday party setting)

I honestly think it depends on the event. There are times when celebrating a winner is important; there are times when celebrating effort and participation is important.

I think it is more of an encouragement award to say everyone’s a winner for trying .

I agree with you. It never harmed us as kids. We were just happy to take part in things. Sometimes we might have had our hearts set on winning but lost, were sad for a bit but got over it. I think its doing more harm than good, especially in this day and age!

When my son played Auskick, all the kids got a participation trophy. There were other trophies for outstanding players. I think it was nice to acknowledge all the kids on the team. It’s not nice seeing the same kids get the prizes year after year

No, I think its ridiculous. Kids need to learn to lose. Not everyone is going to win in life. You need to learn to strive, to work hard, if you lose, you need to work harder. I think we are setting kids up to be lazy, to think that showing up is all that is needed to win.

I’m with you! Kids need to know what it feels like to lose. It builds resilience and coping skills. When they join the grown up,world, they’ll quickly learn not everyone is a winner. If they’re not taught this early, they’ll just crumble in the adult world

I know at parties I like to make sure everyone ‘wins’ a prize but for real races, netball games, physie, dance, footy etc I’m with you and believe that the winners should be celebrated and the ‘non winners’ encouraged but also taught to be a gracious loser and that it’s about participation and giving it your best.

I really think it depends on age, I agree with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd ribbon but what about participation ribbons for everyone else, that way everyone still gets a ribbon but first, second and third are still acknowledged,

I agree with you- there are other ways of making you feel like a winner. Just keep reinforcing to your kids it’s all about fun and having a go. I know a few kids who forfeit (at age 7!) rather than lose, which is sad

Always teach winning and losing, its a part of life, that’s fair i think!

I think kids do need to learn that noone everyone can be a winner etc – but it is a good idea to give all the kids a participation award or something similar but maybe at the end of the day when they are sitting in the group so it’s not all about the immediate race and rewards etc.

I don’t believe everyone should get a prize, this doesn’t help them. They need to learn that there are winners and loosers and they need to try a bit harder and achieve that winning ribbon/trophy.

what did you end up doing

there are some good comments here

to avoid the kids being sad i give every kid a prize …

I believe children need to learn that you don’t always win. I feel if we teach our kids that you are going to receive a reward ( whether a ribbon , medal , certificate etc) every time you attempt or participate in something they do not learn to push themselves and try their best to achieve that goal. We always tell our children as long as you gave your all and tried your best, that’s what matters, and if you didn’t and you wish to obtain better results , a first place, a medal etc you need to push yourself to achieve that. And we teach them that not everyone can win, even if you do push yourself to the limit. I refuse to set my children up for a unrealistic view in life that they are owed something just because they “participated” – they should do things, involve themselves, pursue things for the greater good, not to be patted on the back and acknowledged “just because”. It sets them up for a world of disappointment as they grow and step out into the “real world” .

Depends on what it’s for. I personally feel there should only be one winner (big prize) and maybe a couple of participation ribbons (thanks for trying etc) but there should definitely be a clear difference between the 2…. I do feel participation prizes/ribbons are a great encouragement to keep on trying, especially in primary school aged children

Looks like most think that there should be only one winner so that kids learn they can’t always win.