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Do you think children should get some kind of credit for effort and trying?

Now, before you answer, hear me out. Normally, I'd say, "No, that's stupid. Participation Trophies cheapen the idea of winning, entirely." However, being an actual teacher and working with actual children, I see all sorts of range in skills and talents.

Some students are like me when I was younger; so intelligent and naturally gifted, they can succeed in classwork effortlessly. Some are mediocre/so-so and don't really want to put in the work. And some work their asses off, but are still behind some other students.

Part of my duties at the end of class, are to reward the best students, usually based on participation, enthusiasm, and performance/merit. 80-90% of the time, I do reward on merit. However, there's problems where the smartest and best students get lazy and complacent and coast by on their laurels. And the students who work hard, but just aren't as smart or require extra studying and attention, might start to become disillusioned, lose morale, and just give up.

And yes; I get it. Life is unfair. I'm an expert of knowing how sh*tty and unfair life can truly be; at least for a First World resident. But these are kids. They can become bitter, jaded, and cynical later, when they're 25.

So usually, I end up rewarding students based on improvement, not strictly being the "best." The smartest have to maintain that effort and become even better and not just get lazy and complacent, but the ones struggling, who have come a great way, also get rewarded.

Dealing with real children is a lot different than just "the best always win." Besides, I've always thought of 2nd and 3rd place medals in the Olympics as "Participation Trophies," anyway.

So while I don't do "everyone is a winner," I do reward based on improvement, so the ones that are behind, can also keep maintaining that spirit to do and be better.

So what do you think? Does effort have some merit?