You Won Your Race
What’s inside...
A Note for the Parents: Our society has gone through several significant changes in the last fifty years. With these changes come new challenges, and we must find a way to address them all in their own right. When I was growing up the United States, the average age for a child's first sexual encounter was about thirteen years old. Now as my wife and I struggle to raise our three Autistic children, we are faced with addressing issues that I never imagined would be presented to ten- and eleven-year-old children. Recently, we learned of three eleven-year-old girls in my son's school who all tested positive for pregnancy. Combine that with a child who came home talking about things that were way outside his age category. We decided that it best to educate our children with the truth than allow them to be educated by their peers. Finally, I got a phone call from my two oldest boys at 2 a.m. while I was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq, and of all the things, I get asked, "Dad, what is masturbation?" I have had a lot of coffee in my life, but to be honest, nothing will sober you up faster than hearing this question from your eleven-year-old son. What follows is the explanation I gave them at that time. It has served very well for my children and some other parents who I have helped in the same situation. The topic is mature, but it has been fashioned in such a way that children can understand it clearly. The verbiage and terminology is also mature. Some of you may find this alarming, but if you don't teach your children, someone else will. The best way I have learned to avoid tragedy and heartache is through education, and as such, I offer this tool. I wish you the best of luck because if you are looking at this book, then you understand the problems our children face. I advocate that you sit and read this with them. Take this opportunity to bond over a simplified version of a complex topic. If your children learn you are open and approachable about their challenges in life, you will find that when real problems come their way, your advice will be the first to be sought.
Age
5-9
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Discussion points
What do you think it means to 'win your race' in the story?
How did the main character handle challenges or setbacks?
Can you think of a time you faced something difficult and how you overcame it?
Why do you think teamwork was important in the story?
How did the story make you feel when the character succeeded?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation with a positive note about the child's own achievements, relating them to the character in the book.
Encourage the child to express feelings and thoughts about the story, validating their emotions and viewpoints.
Ask open-ended questions to promote critical thinking and personal connection with the book's themes.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and teamwork demonstrated in the book, drawing parallels to real-life situations the child might encounter.
Use examples from the book to talk about setting goals and the steps needed to achieve them, making it relevant to the child's experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance pays off
Explanation: In 'You Won Your Race', the protagonist faces numerous challenges but never gives up on their goal to win the race. This persistence is rewarded in the end.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of staying committed to their tasks, whether it’s finishing homework, practicing a sport, or learning a new skill, even when it gets tough.
Example Lesson: Importance of preparation
Explanation: Throughout the book, the protagonist spends time training and preparing for the big race, emphasizing that success often comes from careful planning and preparation.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to prepare thoroughly for their tests or any competitive activities, illustrating that good outcomes are often the result of good preparation.
Example Lesson: Healthy competition
Explanation: The story highlights how competitors can push each other to perform better, and yet show sportsmanship and respect.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by embracing competitiveness in school sports or academic challenges while maintaining fairness and respect for their peers.
Example Lesson: Self-belief is crucial
Explanation: The protagonist's self-confidence grows as the story progresses, showing children that believing in oneself is a key part of achieving one’s goals.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children build their confidence in their abilities, encouraging them to take on new challenges without fear of failure.
Example Lesson: Celebrating achievements
Explanation: At the end of the race, there is a celebration of not just the winner, but all participants, teaching the value of recognizing everyone's efforts.
Real-World Application: Children learn to celebrate their own and others’ achievements, whether big or small, fostering a sense of community and appreciation.