Child’s first “Little Novel Writer” competition

When my wife was helping Zeze check the contact book, she turned over the notice and immediately showed it to me: "There is a competition for "Little Novel Writers" in school." When I heard about it, I immediately handed over the notice. I looked at it carefully, but my first thought was "ask how it compares." 』Because children will show great differences due to different grades. If the competition method is a mixed competition for the whole school, and let Zeze, who is in the first grade for the first time, compete with senior students who have rich experience and skills, this will help my wife. When Zeze was checking the contact book, he turned over the notice and immediately showed it to me: "There is a competition for "Little Novel Writers" in school." When I heard about it, I immediately read the notice carefully, but for the first time I read it. One thought is "Ask how it compares." "Because there will be a huge gap between children in different grades. If the competition is a mixed competition for the whole school, and let Zeze, who is in the first grade for the first time, compete with senior students who have rich experience and skills, it will definitely be a blow. If it affects Zeze's self-confidence, it will have the opposite effect. So I handed the notice back to my wife and said: "Let's ask the teacher, how is this "little novelist" compared? Should the whole school be mixed together? Or should each grade compare by itself? Let's ask clearly."

The next day, I got the answer from the teacher in the contact book. The "Little Novel Writer" competition is divided into three grades: lower, middle and upper grades. In other words, if Zeze is willing to compete, the contestants who will participate together are first and second grade students. I thought "very good~", but of course the next step is the most difficult part of the whole process, which is to ask the person concerned about his wishes.

I asked Zeze: "Your school is holding a competition for "Little Novel Writers". Do you want to participate?"

Zeze decided to participate in the competition

Zeze, who was still in the middle class of kindergarten, had actually participated in a similar experience and told stories in front of all the kindergarten teachers and students. At that time, Zeze was unexpectedly well-received. According to the teacher's report, Zeze spoke for more than 5 minutes in front of nearly a hundred teachers and students, and also used body movements, tone of voice, and expressions. The teacher was surprised and delighted. I I was also very surprised after hearing this. Of course ~ I believe that kindergarten activities must be different from formal competitions in primary schools, but maybe the successful experience in kindergarten will give Zeze the illusion of saying "Okay, I'll give it a try."

After I asked, Zeze quickly replied without raising his head: "I don't want it." Sure enough, my son disillusioned me without hesitation. While my wife was trying to tell Zeze, all I could think about was "Do I really want my child to try?" Because this is definitely a hard tug-of-war between parents and children. If the handling is slightly wrong and parents want their children to have good intentions, the children may not feel it at all, which will lead to more complaints and family conflicts. Why bother! !

Whether I continue to want my child to participate, I only observe two things. The first is the child's personality, and the second is the child's ability. As long as Zeze has the personality or ability, he should think of ways to encourage him to participate. Because a fish just stays in the fish tank and never knows how fast and far it can swim. Perhaps some parents may feel that just because their child doesn’t know how to do it, this is what he is missing, and he needs to be allowed to practice. My idea on this point is that if you want to teach cats that can’t and don’t need to swim, you can actually go to a small pond instead of going to the ocean. Forcibly pushing the cat into the sea will only make the cat more afraid of water, and may not even dare to go into the pond. Zeze is lively, outgoing, and unafraid of the masses. This has already been revealed when Zeze was in middle school. So, I want to encourage Zeze to give it a try.

I encouraged Ze Ze: "Dad, I think you can give it a try. You were great when you were in kindergarten, so there is no problem." Ze Ze thought for a while and replied: "Yeah ~~I still don’t want it.” I didn’t give up and continued to ask: “Then~ why not? Can you talk to dad?” Ze Ze: “Because... I don’t even know him, and I will be afraid.” It turns out it’s just because If you’re afraid of telling stories to people you don’t know, that’s easy to handle, so I still encourage you: “Dad, I know you will be afraid, but mom and dad both think you must be scared.”

There's no problem, you can try it once and see. "This time Zeze answered more firmly, shaking his head and said: "No, I just don't want to participate."

When children can't find butterflies to chase, parents need to become fireflies in time, glowing The light leads the child to run in the direction of the butterfly. So~ I decided to throw a firefly to lead Ze Ze forward.

"Otherwise, daddy will give you a reward." Normally, all of Zeze's achievements and performance would never be related to rewards, so when Zeze heard these two words, his eyes immediately He asked brightly: "What reward?" I saw that Zeze seemed to be interested, but he also needed to explain the rules clearly: "We must discuss the reward together. It can be a book, a toy, going out to play or... It’s a feast, you provide options, but the price and final decision are mine.” Because this is just a firefly attracting butterflies, it doesn’t have to be a mountain of gold and silver, which obscures the real goal. Looking at Ze Ze who was a little disappointed, I continued: "But getting this reward is very simple. You only need to do three things." "Which three things?" Ze Ze asked. I said: "As long as you bravely go on stage, tell the story clearly, and then participate again next time. That's it." At this time, Zeze fell into deep thinking, and I teased Zeze: "How about it?" ? Dad usually doesn’t give you rewards. It’s a rare opportunity. If you still don’t want it, forget it. Dad will never force you.” Ze Ze thought for a while and suddenly answered me loudly: “Okay!! I want it. Participate." My eyes widened: "Really." Zeze nodded: "Yeah, yes! I want to participate." At this time, I could no longer hide the smile that was rising at the corner of my mouth.

Let’s find stories together

When we got home, we flipped through one book after another and told one story after another. Every time we finished telling one, I Everyone will ask Ze Ze: "How is it? Do you want to read this story?" Some stories are too long, some are too complex, and some have too deep artistic conception. Regarding this, I only have one idea, which is, "It is the children who tell stories on stage. Let the children decide the stories themselves." Finally, we read the story "Tiger Cousin and Cat Cousin", and I thought to myself, it should be This one, because the story is simple and uncomplicated, just short enough to be both a cat and a tiger and not easily rejected. Sure enough, "How is it? Do you want to read this story?" Ze Ze nodded and said, "Okay, I want to read this story."

The wife on the side patted me and said, "Hey, The theme of "Little Novel Writers" this time is "Related to Taiwan." Does the story "Tiger Cousin and Cat Cousin" fit the theme?" I spread my hands and said, "It doesn't matter, as long as my son is brave enough to come on stage. Just tell the story clearly and try again next time. It doesn’t matter if it’s not very close to the theme.” My son said a little worriedly, “But what if the teacher says it’s not possible?”

I thought for a while and said: "That's it! Then... let's ask the teacher."

Communication with the teacher

The next day, I specially I ran to the school to find a teacher and asked Zeze’s class tutor. At the same time, I also hope that I can appropriately convey to the teacher our expectations for Ze Ze regarding this competition. After all, if the teacher’s expectation is based on the name, our expectation is that as long as it is safe to play the bank, the pressure exerted on the children for different purposes is different. At the same time, the children will be at a loss or even have a rebound. Then, this is not what we want. It is a very important step to communicate with the teacher and achieve mutual understanding.

Fortunately, my wife and I feel that Zeze has really met a good teacher, and many of his ideas coincide with ours. After hearing this, Zeze's teacher just said to me: "Hey, any topic is fine. Now we let the children compete, just to practice their courage. You don't have to ask too much. If you are willing to speak on stage, it is already worthy of encouragement." I listened. I was so happy that I said, "Yes, teacher, I think the same as you, great." After hitting it off with the teacher's acquaintance, it was time to start the next preparation.

(After a few days, the teacher hoped that we could provide the lecture notes so that we could help practice at school.

Suddenly I thought of something and asked, "What will happen if my son doesn't participate next time?" I smiled wickedly and said, "I know this best. If you really have this ability and personality, you have experienced the achievement of standing on the stage. After enjoying the sweetness, I will take the initiative to chase the butterfly. How can I say no next time? Hey hey hey~" After class, Zeze kept praising and encouraging Zeze on the way home. Although Zeze felt a little regretful that he didn't speak well, he couldn't feel a trace of sadness, only a happy smile. ? Life is not a 100-meter race, but a marathon with different ending points. It’s not about first come first win, but the real winner is to persevere and run to your own unique destination. For this first experience, there is no need to encourage others, no high expectations, only full praise. I believe that children will slowly improve with every opportunity. Life is very long, don't rush to win or lose now, only winning the future destination is the most important. ? Did Zeze get a name later? Haha~ I don’t know, but~ is it important? --

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"This article is the opinion of the carefully selected author of the cooperation and does not represent the position"