How to praise the right child for the achievements he got

Should you praise children?

Children need to learn many things. Starting from the skills to control and express emotions, the body's ability to carry out certain activities, to getting used to implementing good behavior.

To achieve this, children need to build self esteem (pride). According to Kids Health, self-esteem makes children feel accepted, loved, and protected.

Well, one way parents to build self esteem the child is to give him praise. Praise is a form of reward for his hard work in achieving this and as a form of parental pride.

“The kids think of praise as a gift for themselves. Praise is a way to help them be confident and responsible, ”explains Michelle Macias, MD, a lecturer in child health at the Medical University of South Carolina and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics on the Parents page.

However, praising children is also not an easy thing. Not just, "You are great, we are proud of you" alone. Inappropriate praise can also have a negative impact on children, namely inhibiting children's growth.

Keep in mind that you shouldn't be overly complimenting your child. In addition, praise must also be given sincerely.

Otherwise, praise can backfire, scaring your child to try new things or take risks. The reason is because they are afraid that they will not be able to be in a proud position for their parents.

The right and proper way of praising children

If you don't want to take the wrong steps in giving praise to children, try to pay attention to the following things.

1. Praise the child specifically

Words that come out in praise need attention. Praise the child specifically or to the point. Perhaps many parents praise in general, which means very broad. For example, "Son, you are great at playing football."

If the compliment is interpreted, of course it can cover many things. Is the child good at kicking, dribbling, or keeping the goal from the opponent's ball. Children will certainly catch that they master all of these things. Though that is not necessarily the case.

So, try to praise the child with the right target. For example, “You're really good at guarding the net. Papa is sure you can be a great goalkeeper later. " With praise like this, children will better understand the superiority in themselves.

2. Praise the child sincerely

In order not to overdo it, you need to know the right time to give praise to children. So, don't praise your child too often because it can give the impression that the compliment is not sincere.

Praising too often can also make you no longer trusted by children. Worse, this will make it difficult for children to distinguish whether this compliment is sincere or maybe just lip service.

Sincerity in praising children can be manifested by involving your emotions. Try to focus your attention on the little one, pick the right words to compliment, and show an expression and gesture that you are truly proud of his achievement.

3. Praise the process not the result

Praise doesn't always talk about the results your child achieves. However, it could also be the process and your child's efforts to get it. This is praise that builds a person to be better in the future.

So, one example of praising a child who builds, “How hard is it not for the test? So don't worry anymore, the important thing is Papa, seeing that you've studied up to last night."

If you pay close attention, the praise above does not boast of the results achieved by the child, but the process and effort the child does. That way, children feel that the effort they have done is also rewarded without depending on the results that may be obtained.