A Better Way to Say “Good Job” to Your Kids: How to Praise Your Kids (Copy)

@drashleysoderlund

Children who were “trait” praised (e.g., you are a good drawer/you are smart/you are artistic) were the least motivated on a task and showed less enjoyment for the task.

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Children who were praised for their effort (e.g., you worked hard on that drawing) or given ambiguous praise (e.g., Wow! or High-Five) showed higher task enjoyment and persistence, even after task errors.

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Children who felt the most positive about themselves and their drawings were the ones who received the gestural praises — the thumbs up or the high five.

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In the article, I also discuss the brain's negativity bias and how to balance that with the right kind of praise!!

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Carol S. Dweck

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@drashleysoderlund

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@drashleysoderlund

A Better Way to Say “Good Job” to Your Kids: How to Praise Your Kids

Praising kids too much or saying you’re so smart can undermine natural motivation.

Children who were “trait” praised (e.g., you are a good drawer/you are smart/you are artistic) were the least motivated on a task and showed less enjoyment for the task.

Research shows that...

Children who were praised for their effort (e.g., you worked hard on that drawing) or given ambiguous praise (e.g., Wow! or High-Five) showed higher task enjoyment and persistence, even after task errors.

Praising effort was different...

Children who felt the most positive about themselves and their drawings were the ones who received the gestural praises — the thumbs up or the high five.

The best way? A High-Five!!

In the article, I also discuss the brain's negativity bias and how to balance that with the right kind of praise!!

Click to read the whole article!

Carol S. Dweck

@drashleysoderlund

For more tips click to read!