Why Are First Graders So Competitive?

By Jae Curtis. Once upon a time, your darling preschooler was happy to play second fiddle to a playmate. Even in kindergarten, your laid-back kid probably didn't mind bringing up the rear in a playground race. Then, it hits: first grade. And in first grade, your once-easygoing tot suddenly has to be the best at everything. Whether it's turning in a paper first or being the one to tattle on a cohort, changes that happen in first grade can have your little one constantly gunning for first place. Understanding why a win-at-all-costs attitude is your new normal can help you taper off gazelle-like intensity, saving the competitive nature for when it really counts.