constructive competition in preschool

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to draw attention to competition as a multidimensional phenomenon in preschool. Theories of competition are outlined here in relation to an empirical study of how preschool children compete constructively and how they themselves express and conceive competition in different situations. The data consist of video observations, individual and group interviews as well as children’s drawings. The results show that cooperation and constructive competition exist simultaneously. Competition enters children’s lives at an early stage, and constructive competition is a dimension that can motivate children to achieve better at the same time as it makes activities more exciting. Constructive competition is also a dimension of children’s cooperation as well as individual activities.