Praise for the accomplishments of children

A child needs to feel that the significant people in her life notice what she does and are proud of her accomplishments. This message can be given by a hug as well as with words.

A baby’s first step, the creation of a pretty picture, or blocks stacked into a tall tower are obvious times for praise.

Less obvious times are good too—for example, when a messy child shows the slightest sign of neatness. Or when she has completed a task without being asked to do it.

It doesn’t matter how the accomplishment stacks up in relation to other children. The important thing is that the child accomplished something.

A good rule of thumb is to praise children as often as—or more often than—you correct them.

A child needs to feel that the significant people in her life notice what she does and are proud of her accomplishments. This message can be given by a hug as well as with words.

A baby’s first step, the creation of a pretty picture, or blocks stacked into a tall tower are obvious times for praise.

Less obvious times are good too—for example, when a messy child shows the slightest sign of neatness. Or when she has completed a task without being asked to do it.

It doesn’t matter how the accomplishment stacks up in relation to other children. The important thing is that the child accomplished something.

A good rule of thumb is to praise children as often as—or more often than—you correct them.