Highland Oaks Student Handbook

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Parenting Idea of the Week

 

The Wonders of Praise

Praise is a true miracle worker for all of us, and it’s free. The only danger is that we may give it out so freely and generally, especially to children, that it loses its impact. The important point in using praise is to be as specific as possible and to mean what we say!

Here is an easy exercise in offering praise - from parent to child, from child to parent, and from child to child (sibling praise rather sibling rivalry!).

Gather your family together. Use the following five “praising expressions” with each other and be sure to remember to fill in specifics for each. Trade off with each other, so that you will exchange praises in the same way you’d exchange volleys while playing tennis or volleyball. It’s OK to laugh while doing this activity. The point is to get into the habit of giving praise.

You did that very well.
(Pick a specific activity).

I’m very proud of you.
(For what?)

I knew you could do it.
(Do what?)

You’re doing a good job.
(At what?)

You’re very good at that.
(At what and how good?)

Don’t forget - children will recognize a lack of sincerity. That’s why it is important to practice and to provide concrete examples. You can come up with your own praise expressions to substitute for or add to the ones suggested above. Just remember to keep the real praise coming!

Responsive Classroom at Highland Oaks and at Home

Highland Oaks School is committed to continue to develop a true learning community for our young scholars in which they feel safe to take risks in their learning and a sense of belonging to a caring community of learners. The Responsive Classroom (RC) is a research based approach to teaching and learning that promotes safe, challenging, and joyful classrooms and schools. RC consists of practical strategies and respectful language for bringing together social and academic learning. RC is a philosophy that encourages the empowerment of children as individuals, as a classroom family, and ultimately as a school community. Click here to read more.