Participation trophies have been at the center of controversy for the last few years, with some people claiming they take away a child’s motivation to win. While most children do understand the difference between winning and a participation trophy, participation trophies and awards also have several benefits that help children develop emotionally and socially.

Excellent Reasons to Give Out Participation Trophies

1. Encourage Teamwork

The ability to be a good teammate is vital not just in kiddie sports, but to future employers and friends. It’s a hallmark skill of adulthood and a top reason to have your child play sports when they’re young. Rewarding everyone on the team with trophies and awards — even if they aren’t MVP — teaches the strongest players that others are just as valuable. It also shows weaker players that they are needed. The amount of work and commitment they devote to the team is the real win.

2. Reward Your Child’s Effort

Teaching your child positive habits for life takes constant reinforcement. A recent study showed that when kids were praised for the effort they put into something, no matter the outcome, they were more likely to challenge themselves in the future with harder options. Reinforcing your child’s belief in the value of their effort, versus just praising outcomes, can build a lifelong habit of faith in oneself and ambition to strive for more challenging goals.

3. Celebrate Healthy Activities

Participation trophies are usually dispensed for sports or other after-school activities. With rising childhood obesity and decreasing attention spans thanks to increased screen time, motivating your child to seek regular social interaction while challenging their mind and body is harder than ever. So, giving out a few affordable trophies and awards can turn an end-of-season party into a celebration everyone enjoys, with a memento to remind them how much fun they had.

Trophy Outlet in Wentzville, MO, has been creating custom trophies and awards for over 30 years. Celebrate the victories and memories of life with high-quality, personalized products that deserve a special place on the mantel. Make this year special with sports medals and engraved plaques young athletes and students will keep forever. For more information, call (636) 283-6167 or visit them online.