noted. the ways to praise
PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTOCK
goodbye, “Good job”— here are better ways to compliment your kids WORDS
ALEXIS PATTERSON
G
OOD JOB!” That’s a phrase you’ve probably squealed to your children a thousand times. You want them to feel good about what they did—sorting blocks correctly, acing a test or scoring a goal. You praise them and move on. But did your words actually mean what you hoped they would? Even if you have the best intentions, there really is a right way to praise your child—and a wrong way. DON’T: PRAISE ONLY YOUR CHILD’S SUCCESSES.
Grapevine mom Colleen Patton has a lot of experience praising kids. There’s her two at home—an 8-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter—plus hundreds she’s taught in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. “I’ve seen parents who praise their children only for a job well done,” reflects DFWCHILD | august/september 2022
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