healthy kids
Mindful Kudos
Best Ways to Praise Kids and Boost Self-confidence by Ronica O’Hara
G
iving ample kudos to our kids is an everyday part of parenting. To motivate youngsters to excel in school and activities, we pat them on the back repeatedly in ways that were unimaginable a century ago, when even kissing babies was frowned upon by many. In one survey, 85 percent of American parents said that praising their children’s ability or intelligence when they perform well helps kids feel smarter. But praise turns out to be a double-edged sword, as recent decades of psychological and educational research have made clear. Yes, praise can build character, motivation and resilience, just as parents hope. But when done unskillfully, say psychologists, it can have the opposite effect and actually lower children’s confidence, dampen their motivation and stifle intellectual growth. Some of the research-based advice that has emerged includes:
Praise Effort, Not Intelligence
Numerous studies have found that when children are repeatedly given accolades for their intellect or talent, they can come to believe those traits are innate and fixed, which then makes them more fearful of failing or even encountering challenges. On the other hand, when kids are taught that success depends on continued effort
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