Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Praising Children...
Everyone likes praise and we all like to sing children’s praises. We want to help them believe in themselves, right? But to do this right, simply throwing out compliments doesn’t cut it. To get a child to recognize the importance of his efforts, praise must be authentic. It must help the child realize that his attempt and progress matter, even more than the end result.
Hitting the Right Notes
Praise is good for children when it is specific, and focuses on an action or behavior. This type of encouragement--praise that recognizes a child’s ways and efforts--helps him to feel known and understood, a critical element for early learning. So how do you make praise productive? It’s all about what you say and do.
More resources:
Everyone likes praise and we all like to sing children’s praises. We want to help them believe in themselves, right? But to do this right, simply throwing out compliments doesn’t cut it. To get a child to recognize the importance of his efforts, praise must be authentic. It must help the child realize that his attempt and progress matter, even more than the end result.
Hitting the Right Notes
Praise is good for children when it is specific, and focuses on an action or behavior. This type of encouragement--praise that recognizes a child’s ways and efforts--helps him to feel known and understood, a critical element for early learning. So how do you make praise productive? It’s all about what you say and do.
Music to the Ears
- Use Lots of Description.
Describe what your child has done, rather than evaluate it. Instead of saying, “You are very generous.” Say, “I see you shared your cookie with Lilly. That was very thoughtful. Look at how happy she looks.” - Keep Compliments Specific.
This helps a child learn to feel good about his efforts, rather than the finished product. So instead of saying “Good job!” say, “You really worked hard to build that tower.” - Point Out the Positive.
Try to comment on what your child has done right before you note the negative. “Wow! You got dressed all by yourself! Let’s just turn your sweater around so the tag is in the back.” - Celebrate Trying.
Let your child know that you’ve noticed how hard he’s been working to learn a new skill. “You turned and turned that piece until you got it to fit in the puzzle.” - Recognize “Quiet” Accomplishments.
When your child rises to a challenge, let him know you noticed. “I know you were nervous about going to the dentist, but you stayed calm and didn’t complain. You must be proud of yourself."
More resources:
- Family Fun offers several healthy ways to praise.
- Learn some ways to praise your toddler at Scholastic.
- Raising Children Network presents some tips for praise and encouragement.
- The Power of PraiseFrom New Mexico State University Download Now
- Praise That Builds A Child’s Self EsteemFrom University of Wisconsin Extension Download Now
We are always quick to correct bad or dangerous behavior... let's be just as quick to recognize the good! Hope that you all had a wonderful Labor Day holiday and if your child care is like mine, now that the last of the older kids are in school, maybe your child care will be a little calmer as well.
// posted by Tammy Wachter @ 12:31 PM 
