Summary: The Importance Of Encouragement

Introduction This assignment is based on one of the seven principles of teaching science, which is “children learn through encouragement and praise rather than punishment”. No matter how old children are, praise and encouragement will help them feel good about themselves rather than punishment. This boasts their self-esteem and confidence. Sometimes rewards can be useful too, especially if you want to encourage good behavior. We live in a culture where a ribbon, gold star, silver star, a trophy or enthusiastic “excellent” has become common places and even expected when children participate in any activity, regardless of their effort or outcome. Encouragement can be inspirational and motivating-gentle, supportive nudge that helps children meets important goals- instead of self-defining and limiting. In Dr. Dweek’s study, children who receive encouragement were more likely to believe in their intelligence could change and they could do better if they tried hard.

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When children seek praise (consciously or unconsciously) they tend to avoid anything they worth get “right” which is unfortunate which become mistakes, trial and error and risk taking are critical elements of any learning process. Many parents, teacher, guardians try to help children feel confident by praising them, but encouragement is actually more effective than praise in building children’s confidence. Over using praise can actually lower children self-esteem and make them the more competitive and less cooperative. Praise and encouragement are very different. Praise focuses on what the adult thinks or feels and after includes a judgmental such as “Very good”. Children who are praise tent to do things to please adults, not because they are motivated themselves but because they want to please