We all want to be great at something. We all want to win. But what happens when winning becomes the only thing that matters? In Sochu: The Joy of Winning, we meet Raju, Manju, and Anju—each swept up in a competition so intense that they begin to lose sight of everything else. Their eyes spin with the need to win. Play, friendship, joy—everything else fades.
This story gently invites us to rethink what it really means to succeed. Is it the prize? Or is it the process? And can we enjoy the ride without losing ourselves in the race?
Let these 12 breadcrumbs open up meaningful conversations about pressure, motivation, play, and what truly matters.
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The Winning Trap
Sometimes, the more we want to win, the more we forget why we began in the first place.
🎯 👉 Watch here: The Winning Trap (Short film: why winning isn’t everything)
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Play vs. Pressure
Play is when we’re free. Pressure is when we’re frozen. Can you tell the difference?
⚽ 👉 Watch here: Play vs. Pressure (Kids reflect on play/anxiety)
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Why Do Kids Feel Pressure to Win?
From exams to games—where does this pressure come from?
🔍 👉 Watch here: Why Do Kids Feel Pressure to Win? (Understanding performance pressure)
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The Joy of Doing, Not Just Winning
True success might be drawing with joy—even if it’s not “the best.”
🎨 👉 Watch here: The Joy of Doing, Not Just Winning (Animation: Learning Through Fun)
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Competition vs. Creativity
Sometimes competition fuels us. Other times, it blocks our imagination.
🧠 👉 Watch here: Competition vs. Creativity (TEDx: How Competition Kills Creativity)
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Play Is Not a Waste of Time
When we stop playing, we stop learning how to be ourselves.
🧸 👉 Watch here: Play Is Not a Waste of Time (The science of play and well-being)
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I Must Win! Why Kids Obsess Over Victory
When “I must win” turns into a spiral, it’s time to pause.
🔁 👉 Watch here: I Must Win! Why Kids Obsess Over Victory (The dark side of obsession with winning)
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Slowing Down to Think Clearly
We can’t think clearly when our mind is spinning. Slow is smart.
🌀 👉 Watch here: Slowing Down to Think Clearly (Kids mindfulness focus exercise)
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What Makes a Winner?
Is it the trophy? Or the ability to be kind, focused, and calm even when we lose?
🏆 👉 Watch here: What Makes a Winner? (Teaching sportsmanship and character)
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Getting Unstuck from Perfection
When winning becomes about being perfect, we get stuck.
💫 👉 Watch here: Getting Unstuck from Perfection (Handling mistakes with grace)
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What if We Win Together?
What if we helped each other win instead of trying to beat each other?
🤝 👉 Watch here: What If We Win Together? (Cooperative games and empathy)
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Reflective Family Activities
- 🖼️ Art for Joy: Each family member creates something just for fun—not to impress, just to express.
- 🎲 Flip the Game: Play a board game where the goal is to help each other finish—not win.
- 📖 “Win” Story Swap: Share a memory of when you didn’t win—but felt proud anyway.
- 🧘♀️ Freeze Frame: Try a 2-minute silent moment whenever someone says, “I must win!”
- 🧩 Together Challenge: Collaborate on a big puzzle, drawing, or Lego structure—only team effort allowed.
- 📅 Play Calendar: Mark days that are “win-free”—just enjoy, no tracking, no score.