Playing to Win

Media

The “Reality” of Kids on Television

Hilary Levey Friedman Ph.D. on October 24, 2022

How can we better protect children who appear on TV and social media? We must expand state laws to include these kids as child performers under child labor laws.

How can we better protect children who appear on TV and social media? We must expand state laws to include these kids as child performers under child labor laws.

Why one group of teens won't be wearing any teenie weenie bikinis this year

Beauty

And the Winner Is... Miss Universe 2016

Hilary Levey Friedman Ph.D. on December 21, 2015

Why are so many people (especially non-pageant fans) fascinated by the mis-crowning?

Why are so many people (especially non-pageant fans) fascinated by the mis-crowning?

Sex

Will the Obama Girls Stay Up Late for Miss America 2016?

Hilary Levey Friedman Ph.D. on September 10, 2015

What does Vanessa Williams' return to the Miss America Pageant say about our changing society?

What does Vanessa Williams' return to the Miss America Pageant say about our changing society?

Sport and Competition

Parental Participation Prizes

Hilary Levey Friedman Ph.D. on September 3, 2015

Everyone has an opinion on participation trophies, but here is some practical advice for parents and coaches for the fall season.

Everyone has an opinion on participation trophies, but here is some practical advice for parents and coaches for the fall season.

Are children involved with competitive activities more or less mature than their peers?

Sport and Competition

Not Just High Achievers

Hilary Levey Friedman Ph.D. on February 26, 2015

How can we understand the impressive performances on Child Genius? It's more than just brains, it's also achievement patterns.

How can we understand the impressive performances on Child Genius? It's more than just brains, it's also achievement patterns.

When people ask me about afterschool activities for their elementary school-age kids– how many they should be in, which activity will help them get into college someday, etc.– I explain that they should approach those afterschool hours the same way they approach that Sunday buffet.

Motivation

Measuring Ambition in Today’s Youth

Hilary Levey Friedman Ph.D. on July 3, 2013

In our competitive culture, today's young people need to understand how to prove their ambition. Demonstrating ambition serves them in a multitude of ways - not the least of which is in gaining acceptance to a College or University of their choice. But how is this intangible quality shown, and measured?

In our competitive culture, today's young people need to understand how to prove their ambition. Demonstrating ambition serves them in a multitude of ways - not the least of which is in gaining acceptance to a College or University of their choice. But how is this intangible quality shown, and measured?

Resilience

How Do You Spell R-E-S-I-L-I-E-N-T?

Hilary Levey Friedman Ph.D. on June 4, 2013

This year’s 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee demonstrated how competition can help teach kids resilience. Not only was this winner Arvind Mahankai’s fourth attempt at the gold trophy, but it was a repeat performance for ten out of the eleven finalists.

This year’s 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee demonstrated how competition can help teach kids resilience. Not only was this winner Arvind Mahankai’s fourth attempt at the gold trophy, but it was a repeat performance for ten out of the eleven finalists.

Sport and Competition

Competitions Within Competitions

Hilary Levey Friedman Ph.D. on May 10, 2013

Americans love winners and hate losers. So it’s no surprise that the general public craves even more competition and even more winners these days. From Survivor and The Bachelor, to The Voice and Fashion Star, we can't seem to get enough - and we're now seeing a growing phenomenon of competitions within competitions. Why is this?

Americans love winners and hate losers. So it’s no surprise that the general public craves even more competition and even more winners these days. From Survivor and The Bachelor, to The Voice and Fashion Star, we can't seem to get enough - and we're now seeing a growing phenomenon of competitions within competitions. Why is this?

Sport and Competition

Qualities of the B (aka Bench-Warming) Player

Hilary Levey Friedman Ph.D. on April 12, 2013

Even if your child isn’t a star player, they are developing crucial life skills to help them succeed throughout life.

Even if your child isn’t a star player, they are developing crucial life skills to help them succeed throughout life.