Praise and children
Embracing the Journey of Parenting: Nurturing Praise and Encouragement
Parenting our gorgeous people is filled with moments of joy, growth, and learning. One of the most important aspects of guiding our little ones is understanding how to offer praise and encouragement in a way that truly supports their development. So how do we find the right balance and nurture our children effectively?
Intuitively as parents we want our children to achieve and so by offering praise we anticipate that they will continue to try, to get to the top, to gain a boost in their self confidence. This is not always the case though.
Finding the Right Balance in Praise
Praise is a powerful tool in our parenting toolkit, but it’s important to use it wisely. While we all want to encourage our children and celebrate their successes, sometimes too much praise can backfire. It’s crucial to find a balance that truly supports their self-esteem and motivation.
The Power of Specific Praise: Instead of a general “Good job,” try being specific about what you’re praising. For example:
“Good job on remembering your hat this morning!”
“I love how carefully you built that tower!”
Being specific helps your child understand exactly what they did well and reinforces positive behaviour.
Non-Verbal Praise Matters: Sometimes, a smile, thumbs up, or a high-five can be just as impactful as words. These gestures show your child that you see their effort and appreciate their achievements.
Alternative Ways to Encourage Your Child
While praise is important, there are other meaningful ways to support and encourage your child:
Ask About Their Process: Engage your child by asking questions about their experiences and choices:
“Why did you choose those colours for your drawing?”
“How did you manage to climb to the top of the slide?”
This approach helps them reflect on their process and effort.
Describe What You See: Comment on what you observe in their work or play:
“You drew a big sun with a happy face”
This helps them feel recognized and valued for their creativity and effort.
Learn From Them: Show genuine interest in their skills and ideas:
“Can you teach me how you did that?”
This helps us be a part of what our children are doing alongside helping them to feel valued by us.
Acknowledge Their Feelings: Notice and validate your child’s emotions without judgement:
“I see you’re feeling disappointed. I’m here with you.”
Offering support during emotional moments helps your child feel seen and heard.
Creating a Nurturing Environment
Our children need our positivity. They need our encouragement, and support. For the people that they are right now, for the people they will be in the future.
Thank you for being the incredible parents you are. Together, let’s continue to embrace the journey with warmth, love, and thoughtful encouragement.
Feel free to reach out with any questions or for further support on your parenting journey.
“There is a space between lavishing praise and withholding it”
Aliza Pressman