Some people believe that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adult.

Nurturing the mind of the children is the major important issue in today society. Most of the people especially the parents believe that their children should be encouraged to be competitive. In my opinion, I agree with the other belief that co-operation, instead of competition, should be learned since childhood so that they will become well productive individuals in the future.

Traditionally, the parents and teachers have been training the children to be ......
perfect and the best among friends. The mind of the children, therefore, has been fixated with the sense of competition and perfection. They are trying hard to get the highest result without sharing and caring attitude. Consequently, those children become self-centred and lack of interest in outside world. Their achievements in later life may be very good but their contribution to the society will not be substantial. In some circumstances, even undesirable behaviours and abnormal personalities can be developed. For example, social isolation and rigid personality can be developed in the children who are nurtured in authoritative manner by ambitious parents.

The future generation is necessary to be fulfilled with social well being leading them to be mature as the socially responsible and politically resourceful citizens. The young children, therefore, should be critically cultivated with the positive sense of friendship and co-operation. They should be trained to experience group activities and personal commitments. Encouraging the pupils to get involve in sport activity, for example, help them maintain fitness and build up team spirit as well.

In conclusion, the young children who are considerate and co-operative have the full potential of being successful leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs. It is co-operation and unity, not competition, which create peace and prosperity.

Jasmine White