Is winning the best part?
Playing games: winning the trophy, playing with friends, getting better over time. What makes playing games worth it? Is winning always the most important part?
🎯 Explain your thinking
Why did you choose this answer?
"In the Olympics, winning IS the goal! Athletes train for years for that medal. Sometimes winning really matters most."
"When I play board games with family, I don't really care who wins. Laughing together and having fun is what I remember!"
"I love video games where I keep losing but get a little better each time. The challenge is fun even without winning!"
"Sometimes how you play matters more than winning. Being a good sport and helping teammates feels better than cheating to win."
🤔 Which thinking lens(es) did you use?
Select all the lenses you used:
🌱 A Small Everyday Story
"I lost the game."
"Did you have fun?"
"Yeah, actually. It was really close!"
"Sounds like a good game then."
Winning isn't the only way to win.
See more guidance →
🧠 Thinking habits this builds:
- Understanding that value can come from many sources
- Recognizing intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation
- Appreciating process alongside outcome
- Developing healthy relationships with competition
🌿 Behaviors you may notice (and reinforce):
- Enjoying games even when losing
- Valuing fair play over winning at all costs
- Celebrating improvement, not just victory
- Choosing to play with others for connection, not just competition
How to reinforce: "You seemed to have a great time even though you didn't win! What made it fun for you?"
🔄 When ideas are still forming:
Some children focus heavily on winning. Help them see that different contexts have different goals — and that's okay.
Helpful response: "When you play with your little sister, is winning the most important thing? What about when you're in a real tournament?"
🔬 If you want to go deeper:
- Discuss intrinsic motivation (doing something for its own sake)
- Explore sportsmanship and what it means to be a "good loser" and "good winner"
- Consider how professionals balance winning with enjoying their sport
Key concepts (for adults): Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, process vs. outcome orientation, sportsmanship, competitive vs. recreational contexts.