“Way to go!”
“Awesome!”
“Nice work!”
“Great!”
Praise is one universal tool that parents and teachers use to encourage expected behaviour in children. However, this handy tool is often underused. When used correctly, praise can bring out the desired change in children’s behaviour. Research suggests that praise has the potential to either enhance or undermine motivation. Praise is not one-way communication. The role of the evaluator is just as important as the role of the recipient. Praise is different from acknowledgement and feedback.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know to praise your child effectively to bring out and reinforce the desired behaviour.
A renowned child psychologist, Dr Alan Kazdin, has come up with a method to effectively praise your children and develop desired behaviours in them. He is the Director of Yale Parenting Center and has written multiple books on parenting.
Be specific when you are praising children. General praise will help children feel more connected to you but is less likely to bring out a change in behaviour.
For example:
Once you have decided the behaviour to praise, be enthusiastic and show excitement. This is important, especially for younger children.
For example:
This is the part most parents do not involve in their praise. Stating the desired behaviour tells children what the praise is for. It allows them to understand what is being praised and increases the likelihood of them repeating the behaviour.
For example:
Now that your children know the behaviour being praised, you should finish off with a non-verbal gesture. It will allow you to reinforce the message.
For example:
Using this method of praise helps your child see themselves positively and helps them understand precisely what is expected of them. It is a short-term program to get children to develop the desired behaviour. Once the desired behaviour becomes a part of the child’s everyday life, you can reduce the frequency of praise. Praise is just one of the many ways of modifying children’s behaviour and it needs to be combined with other parenting techniques for optimum results.
“Me-kha-la!” That happens at least once when she introduces herself to new people. She wholeheartedly believes in the quote by Arthur Rubinstein that says – “if you love life, life will love you back”. She is an organizational psychologist and psychometrician. She was a class teacher of 36 adorable girls for two years, grades 2 & 3, as a part of the Teach For India Fellowship. These little girls have a special place in her heart, and when she writes for children, she writes for them!
Arya C is a 4th grader who talks about her transition from the US to India and how BYJU`S has helped her at that. She also loves how BYJU`S has made learning a lot more fun.
Meet Sourabh who has a ton to say about his BYJU`S learning experience. His love for quizzes, games and other fun activities are paying off!
V Shriya is a class eight student who has been using BYJU’S for a year now. She shares her experiences with using the app and how it has helped her in improving her academic performance.
Aanvi from class 9 has been with BYJU`S for just 6 months and hear what she has to say about her learning experience with the app.
Comments
DileepKumar
July 5, 2023
Parenting tips some times to be reminded even though we know few things but we do not put it in practice.
This article makes some things to remind our responsibility as parents towards our children. Your article is very simple but powerful message which can bring change in everyone’s life. Positive Change in Children’s life make positive impact on family and on society.
Mekhala Joshi very inspiring your article to change our mindset. thank you…:-) Keep rocking.
virupaxayya v annigeri
December 22, 2020
I have been doing the same thing… thankful to your precious services… My daughter is doing well in her study…????