As parents, teachers, and caregivers, we often praise children for their achievements. We tell them how proud we are of their good grades, sports victories, or artistic abilities. While this kind of praise is well-intentioned, research suggests that praising effort is more important than praising achievement.
In this blog post, we will discuss why praising effort is more effective than praising achievement, and how we can use this approach to build a growth mindset in children.
The Importance of Praising Effort
- Encourages Persistence
When we praise achievement, we are implicitly suggesting that the outcome is the only important thing. Children may become discouraged if they fail to achieve their goals, leading them to give up easily or avoid challenges altogether.
Praising effort, on the other hand, encourages persistence and helps children understand that success is a result of hard work, not an innate ability.
- Promotes a Growth Mindset
Praising effort helps children develop a growth mindset, which is the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication. A growth mindset promotes a love of learning and a willingness to take on challenges.
By contrast, a fixed mindset, which is the belief that intelligence and abilities are predetermined and cannot be changed, can lead to a fear of failure and a lack of motivation.
- Fosters Resilience
Children who are praised for their effort are more likely to develop resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and adversity. When children are praised for their efforts, they learn that mistakes and failures are opportunities for growth and learning.
They are less likely to become discouraged or give up when faced with challenges and are more likely to persevere in the face of obstacles.
- Builds Self-Esteem
Praising effort can also build self-esteem in children. When children are praised for their efforts, they feel valued and respected for their hard work.
They are more likely to feel confident in their abilities and more willing to take on challenges in the future.
How to Praise Effort
- Specificity
When praising effort, it’s important to be specific about what the child did well. For example, instead of saying “good job,” say “I can see that you worked really hard on this project. You did a great job researching your topic and presenting your ideas clearly.”
- Acknowledge Progress
Praising progress is also important. When a child is struggling with a difficult task, acknowledge their effort and progress, even if they haven’t yet achieved their goal.
For example, you might say “I can see that you’re struggling with this math problem, but I’m really proud of how hard you’re working to figure it out.”
- Emphasize Process
When praising effort, focus on the process rather than the outcome. Encourage children to take pride in their effort, persistence, and dedication, rather than the result.
For example, you might say “I’m really proud of how you worked on this project every day, even when it was tough. You should feel proud of yourself for sticking with it.”
- Avoid Comparison
Finally, it’s important to avoid comparing children to one another when praising effort. Each child has their own unique strengths and challenges, and comparing them can undermine their self-confidence and motivation. Instead, focus on each child’s individual progress and effort.
Conclusion
In conclusion, praising effort is more effective than praising achievement. By emphasizing effort, we can promote persistence, a growth mindset, resilience, and self-esteem in children.
When we praise effort, we help children understand that success is the result of hard work, dedication, and persistence, rather than innate ability. We can use specific, progress-oriented, and process-focused language to praise effort, and avoid comparing children to one another.
