Features

Learning & Development: Praise - Good work?

Praise is generally considered to be a positive thing, but it can
actually have a negative effect on how a child perceives their ability
to achieve. Caroline Vollans explains.

What a brilliant painting', 'High five', 'Fantastic!', and 'Good sitting' are the types of phrases we are all familiar with wherever children are present. Praise, intended to reinforce good behaviour or boost self-esteem and motivation, flows freely in most early years settings. It is an integral feature of daily practice, with the implied understanding that it contributes to improving both behaviour and achievement. In all, it is generally taken for granted as a positive thing; everyone does it.

However, decades of research suggests that offering this type of praise to children is not necessarily beneficial to them and, moreover, it can actually be detrimental. It seems, then, that this notion of liberally giving praise needs to be seriously rethought. Practitioners must engage with the praise debate.

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