ENCOURAGEMENT

Recently I read an article about encouraging children effectively (without side effects). I wondered if there were actually side effects of encouragement. The article is from Parenting Brain: Healthy Brain Happy Kid and is entitled 6 Proven Ways To Encourage Kids Effectively (Without Side Effects) and accessible at Here

It is important as a parents, teacher, adult to give words of encouragement of praise to children. It builds their self esteem, encouraging having a go and confidence. In any given day our students, your children receive many words of encouragement in many areas of their schooling. Encouraging words can encourage good manners, improve concentration, enhance sporting efforts, build relationships and create opportunities. 

Of course this form of encouragement continues at home and after school activities such as  piano lessons, touch football or after school care. Essentially, encouragement comes in many forms and is everywhere.

The article further suggests that not all words of encouragement are equal and the key to encouragement is how and when children are praised.

Here are 6 tips on using words of encouragement for kids effectively.

1. Praise Sincerely And Honestly
2. Be specific and Descriptive
3. Praise their Effort and the Process (not their ability)
4. Avoid Controlling or Conditional Praise
5. Avoid Comparison Praise
6. Avoid Easy-Task Praise or Over-Praise

In Kindergarten and other grades at ST Mary’s children talk about filling each others ‘buckets’. Being a bucket filler is about being positive and encouraging to others. Let’s all be bucket fillers and people of encouragement to create a positive environment where all are valued and encouraged..

Regards

Andrew