Do Successful Children Need Praise or Encouragement?
According to success researcher Carol Dweck, children are more successful when they are recognized for their work ethic rather than praised for their talent. In a Columbia University study, Dweck found that students who were praised for intelligence gave up after a failure, while those encouraged for their hard work tried even harder to succeed.
Becoming an expert encouragement coach to your little isn’t easy, especially if you were not encouraged yourself as a child. But you can start with these simple shifts.
Praise:
“You’re so smart. I knew you’d do well on that test.”
Encouragement: “
You worked so hard to ace that test. How does it make you feel?”
Praise:
“I’m proud you did your homework this week.”
Encouragement
: “What did you do to remember to do your homework?”
