Teaching Tip Tuesday

Awesome job!

Wow, you really stayed in the lines!

Good job sounding out that long word!

Hey, you did it! Remember how hard it was a month ago to tie your shoes?

Thanks, I needed your help.
You might never hear thank you from them, but you are making a difference.
*smile*

Praise...

We all need it.
Some more than others, but we all need to hear encouraging words once in a while.

Do you offer genuine praise to your children? Your husband? Your friends?

I haven't ever met someone who doesn't respond to genuine praise. Not the cheap, 'Wow your the best at that', stuff; unless of course your child/husband/friend is a world famous toy pick-r-up-r or a record holder for shoe tying.
Genuine praise, is truthful.
Genuine Praise is encouraging.
Genuine Praise speaks honestly about ones achievement.
Genuine Praise is individualized.

Now, before you disagree, think about what I am saying... cheap praise is something simply not true. As adults, we often do this to each other, and shrug it off. But our kids see through it. They know they aren't the best____. When they continually hear cheap praise from adults, eventually they won't hear it at all. Your encouraging words will mean nothing.

So... Next time you are encouraging,
Be Specific
Be Genuine!
Your child will appreciate it.