"Why does that kid have a blue ribbon? Mine's yellow. I want blue!"
"But you got a ribbon! You did great!" I answered.
"What's my ribbon for?"
"It's because you participated in a sport."
"Did I win?"
"No dear. But you participated."
"What's par-siss-y-tate?"
Of course, parents and teachers don't want any child to feel left out. And perhaps it is fine for all preschoolers and even kindergartners to get a ribbon or a trophy for participating. But what can children learn from losing - and from winning?
