Did you know that there are good ways and bad ways to praise your child?
Praise can be a very helpful tool for improving behavior when used properly. When used in wrong ways, however, it no longer carries any weight.
Here are some suggestions on how to praise your child so that you get positive results.
Praise effort. It’s best to praise attempts as well as accomplishments. Your child will be more inclined to keep trying if you do. Besides, sometimes effort is more important than results.
Give a specific description of what she did that was good. This is more meaningful to the child. She will also be more inclined to repeat good behaviors if she is rewarded for them.
Praise your child’s actions, not her character. It’s a good idea to compliment your child on the activity she did rather than on her character like this: “You cleaned your room up without me asking you to do it. Good job!” That helps her to know that her choice of activities was good rather than her character. Avoid compliments like this: “You’re such a smart kid.” If you use these, she’ll feel like she has to live up to those standards. It’s also a judgement of her character which you want to avoid.
Praise as soon as possible after the action. Your praise will have a greater impact if you give it right after you see your child do a praiseworthy activity.
Praise a desired behavior until it is a habit. Once your child has developed the habit of doing a certain good behavior, cut back on the verbal rewards. She shouldn’t need them as much and you can start focusing your praise on helping her develop a new habit.
Praise outstanding work. When your child does a really great job on an assignment or anything else, compliment her. That will encourage her to do more great jobs.
Be genuine. Kids know when you are being sincere, so praise from the heart.
Don’t praise too much. If you over do it with praise, it won’t carry as much weight and pretty soon your child won’t pay attention to it.
Use praise wisely and it will bring out the best in your child.
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