Your child’s experience in competitions like BaCiPriSA shapes their resilience, emotional growth, and ability to thrive.
The energy of competition day is undeniable. Children give their best, hoping to make their parents proud. As they step off the field or stage, you share in their highs and lows. Whether your child wins or faces setbacks, their participation in events like BaCiPriSA offers more than medals. These experiences shape who they become, equipping them with life lessons that last far beyond the awards ceremony.
How Competitions Build Emotional and Mental Strength for Life:
- Teach Your Child to Manage Disappointment
Losing can feel overwhelming for children. Their hands may tremble, their eyes well up, and they may avoid eye contact out of frustration. Acknowledging these emotions teaches children that it is okay to feel sad and disappointed. Let them know that emotions are not weaknesses but signals that they care about what they do. Emotional regulation helps them bounce back from setbacks, both in competitions and in life. - Shift the Focus from Results to Effort
Celebrate their effort instead of focusing on the outcome. A simple phrase like, “I’m proud of how hard you worked,” reinforces the value of persistence. Psychologist Angela Duckworth’s research on grit shows that children who learn to embrace effort over perfection are more likely to succeed long-term. This shift in mindset motivates them to keep going, even when success feels far away. - Use Setbacks as Opportunities to Grow
Ask your child what they learned from the experience. Encourage them to reflect on how they can improve for the next competition or challenge. Small, achievable goals help them regain confidence and develop self-efficacy—the belief that they have the power to influence outcomes through their own effort. These lessons prepare them for future challenges, from school projects to personal relationships. - Promote Collaboration and Empathy
Competitions often involve working as a team, teaching children empathy and effective communication. Learning how to balance personal goals with teamwork equips them for future group settings, from school activities to their first jobs. These skills promote emotional intelligence, which plays a vital role in building healthy relationships throughout life.
What to Avoid Saying After a Loss:
- “It’s just a game.”
This might feel comforting to say, but it can make children feel like their efforts were dismissed. Instead, acknowledge their emotions and validate their hard work. - “You didn’t try hard enough.”
Children often feel disappointed without needing criticism. Focus on what they did well to encourage a growth mindset and persistence. - “We expected you to win.”
High expectations create unnecessary pressure. Let your child know they are valued for their effort, not just the outcome.
What to Say to Help Your Child Grow:
- “I’m proud of your effort today.”
Praising their effort reinforces the idea that hard work matters, regardless of the result. - “What did you learn from this experience?”
Encouraging reflection helps your child develop critical thinking and resilience. - “Every challenge helps you grow stronger.”
Reframing challenges as growth opportunities builds their ability to bounce back from future setbacks. - “I’m here whenever you want to talk.”
Offering support lets them know they are not alone and encourages open communication.
Participation in competitions like BaCiPriSA provides children with more than trophies. It equips them with essential life skills. These moments teach children how to manage emotions, embrace effort, and collaborate with others. They also show that setbacks are not the end but part of the process of growing stronger.
As parents, your role in guiding your child through these experiences is invaluable. Help them understand that success is not measured by one event but by how they grow along the way. With each challenge, your child is becoming more resilient, empathetic, and prepared for the future. Every effort they make builds the foundation for a meaningful life filled with opportunities to thrive.