The following is an article that originally ran in the Washington Post a few days ago and then in the Sacramento Bee today. It’s an interesting description of how our kids haven’t been helped by having excessive praise given to them for trying to do something, regardless of their successes. The thought being that we would harm their self-esteem by being the least bit critical. The author discusses studies which are showing that encouraging kids to keep trying, despite their initial failures, and then giving praise when they achieve the goal is much more helpful for emotional development. It’s focused on a shift in classrooms, but it’s applicable to all parenting situations, regardless of age. It reminds me of the old saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
To view the article, copy and paste the link below to the address bar. If you have difficulty, the author is Michael Alison Chandler, and it’s on the front page of today’s (1-16-12) Bee.
In schools, self-esteem boosting is losing favor to rigor, finer-tuned praise