How to Praise Your Child

If your child does something praise worthy--gets a good grade, tries hard, draws a great picture--here is how to make the most of it. Praising a child, and balancing it with discipline, are 2 key elements to parenting. Praising is easier than disciplining, but both are needed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Notice your child's creativity or good behavior. This means looking for it on a daily basis.
2. Be sincere. Stop what you're are doing, look them in the eye and focus your attention on your son or daughter.
3. Tell your child that what they did is terrific, in your own words. You have to mean it. Don't be over the top, especially if you have a shy child. They may not want the attention and kids are generally good at spotting a phony compliment.
4. Explain why you liked what they did so they know why they're being praised. Say something simple like "that's one of the loveliest trees I've ever seen" or "those colors go together really well."

Tips & Warnings

• To praise your child, you need to pay close attention to what they're doing or what they're trying to do.
• Praise more than you criticize.
• Offer plenty of discipline as well. Kids like and need boundaries and direction.