Praise
Link to purchaseCornell Notes
Main Notes
- Praise is crucial for building children's self-esteem
- Evaluative praise (e.g., 'Good job!') can be less effective than descriptive praise
- Descriptive praise involves describing what you see, how you feel, and summing up the behavior
- Praise can motivate children to repeat positive behaviors and take on challenges
- Parents should actively look for opportunities to praise their children
- Praise should be age-appropriate and avoid hinting at past weaknesses
- Excessive enthusiasm in praise can be experienced as pressure by children
- Descriptive praise helps children become aware of their own strengths
- How parents handle their own mistakes influences how children view their mistakes
- Praise can be used effectively even in challenging situations
- Descriptive praise can inspire courage and confidence in children
- Praise from authority figures (e.g., coaches) can have a significant impact on children's performance and attitude
Cue Column
- How does praise affect a child's self-esteem?
- What's the difference between evaluative and descriptive praise?
- What are the three components of effective descriptive praise?
- How can praise influence a child's behavior?
- Why is it important for parents to actively seek praiseworthy moments?
- What factors should parents consider when praising children?
- How can excessive praise potentially backfire?
- How does descriptive praise contribute to self-awareness?
- How do parents' reactions to their own mistakes impact children?
- Can praise be effectively used in negative situations?
- How can praise inspire courage in children?
- What role does praise from authority figures play in children's development?
Summary
This chapter emphasizes the critical role of praise in building children's self-esteem and encouraging positive behavior. It introduces the concept of descriptive praise as a more effective alternative to traditional evaluative praise.
The authors present a three-part method for descriptive praise: describing what you see, expressing how you feel, and summing up the praiseworthy behavior with a word. This approach helps children become more aware of their strengths and motivates them to repeat positive behaviors.
The chapter also addresses potential pitfalls in praising children, such as age-inappropriateness, hinting at past weaknesses, and applying excessive pressure through over-enthusiasm. It encourages parents to actively seek opportunities for praise and to use praise even in challenging situations.
Through numerous real-life examples and exercises, the chapter illustrates how effective praise can inspire courage, confidence, and improved performance in children. It also highlights the impact of praise from authority figures like teachers and coaches.
Overall, the chapter presents praise as a powerful tool for parents to affirm their children's 'rightness' and build their self-esteem, while providing practical guidance on how to praise effectively in various situations.