Winning. It’s what we all strive for in life, isn’t it? But in order to win something you have to be willing to lose, too. Modern day parenting ideals lean towards shielding our children from the devastation of losing, creating a generation of young people unwilling to take risks for fear of not succeeding. I am trying to break free of this and encourage my kids to try out for teams and enter contests so they can experience both the winning and inevitable losing that is real life.
One contest we are excited about is the Startoon Fan Art Contest. Startoon is an online talent show designed to connect creators and find new, original animated characters that could star in a series for kids aged 6 to 11. It’s a new way to make cartoons!
The contest has kids draw their favorite Startoon character, then post it to the Facebook page. One winner will be chosen each week, and of those will be chosen a Grand Prize winner on October 12.
Our two youngest kids are really into this whole concept, following these up and coming cartoonists and feeling like they are a part of it all. Entering a drawing is exciting and a bit scary, they might not win the contest this week, or next. But they also might win. That possibility keeps them drawing and trying each week, and just seeing them continue to try makes me feel amazing.
Raising risk takers is a tough business, drying tears and consoling sad little didn’t winners is hard on the heart. But knowing that those little risk takers will grow up to be adults who don’t give up, who believe in the motto: if at first you don’t succeed try, try again is worth it all.
So if you’re like me, and want your kids to be brave and put themselves out there, check out Startoon’s Fan Art Contest. If your child is 13 or under, have them pick a favourite Startoon character (Francisco, one of his friends, or any of the 93 characters) and draw it! Then post to their drawing to the Startoons Facebook entry here! That’s where it happens. Producer Mike picks a favourite each week and the winner gets a prize! Then the weekly winners can win the Grand Prize, drawn live October 12.
And what a wonderful way to give your children the experience of TRYING for something.