It's a Child's World - Vol. 1 Ed. 23
Dec 22, 2020 11:01 pm
World Builders' Guild Newsletter
Competitive children build a brighter future.
Children learn the concepts of winning and losing around the age of 4. Failing to steer this instinct might land you sharing the house with a team of savage little cutthroats. Soon, you find the boys slugging Kool-Aid on top of the shed, praying to the bladder gods that they'll pee the farthest over the chainlink fence.
If you want to avoid curiously wilted azaleas, you can introduce some bounded worlds in which your budding world-beaters can quench their competitive thirst.
You might know these as "games."
Rules and goals channel random "mine's bigger" chaos into a structured battle of skills. The challenge is choosing the right games to maximize both fun and development.
In the world of product and software design, we often think in terms of outcomes. What is the end goal of the project? Who do you hope to help? How will they benefit from this effort?
When choosing a game for children, think of the outcomes: What lessons should they learn? What will the winner and loser experience after playing? How will they adapt their strategy or expectations to the next competition?
The sooner you quell the instinct to flip the table, the better.
Not sure where "Old Kent Road" is in Atlantic City. Maybe it washed into the ocean. (Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels)
There's debate about whether or not you should let children win at games when they play with adults. I consider intentional soft play a detriment to a child's understanding of how the world works. Real life doesn't take it easy on you because you're new at it.
Real life doesn't take it easy because you're new at it.
Instead, select games that they are capable of winning on their own. Young players enjoy racing-style games like Sorry or Chutes and Ladders. These games are not strategic affairs; however, they provide the opportunity to demonstrate winning and losing with humility.
Crushing defeat is a harsh teacher with a limited range of benefits.
Don't stomp your tot into oblivion at every turn. Once in a while, a blowout victory or loss punctuates the swings of reality. The highs soar and the lows sag. Too many demoralizing drubbings and the kids learn that giving up, or worse, not playing at all, is the only way to win.
When you introduce advanced games like chess or Settlers of Catan, you can play with a handicap. Think of golf: a beginner should have a chance to best a pro through proper handicapping. The pro will win more often than not, but the amateur has a shot.
You might slide them a couple extra hundred at the Monopoly board (note: Monopoly is not as horrible game as you remember if you play by the rules as written.) They can have 8 tiles in Scrabble. You start the chess match with one fewer bishop.
Remove handicaps as they become more proficient.
James Altucher often recounts his childhood chess career. There's a beautiful moment when he finally realizes his father's strategy and flips it on him.
That's the moment you're looking for.
Teach the apprentice to beat the master.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays, World Builders. Enjoy some games with those you love the most.
To future worlds,
Matt Ventre
If you received this email from a friend, be sure to subscribe to the World Builders' Guild Newsletter and follow on social media for more exclusive content on world building and creative processes!
Love what you're reading? Tell a friend to join the World Builders' Guild today.
