The Importance of Praise
When caring for children or working with them you can never underestimate the value of praise.
What child wants to hear and feel the sting of criticism?
Receiving praise is akin to feeling loved, valued, wanted and worthwhile.
Of course there are children who do not seem to respond?as we might wish them to, to praise.
But for every child to be praised is considerably more preferable than being criticised or blamed.
Praising a child has the effect of opening them up, improving their receptiveness and attitude.
To berate or criticise has opposite affect of closing them down, of hardening their heart and mind.
Just think for a moment about its impact on a child’s self-esteem.
As a child it so essential to receive feedback which raises your self-esteem and makes you feel good about yourself.
If you have experienced a lack of praise in your life, it often shows itself in you lacking confidence and security.
Those who have received little praise also tend to be less willing and able to give it to others.
They present with less openness and warmth and this often affects them negatively throughout their life.
领英推荐
For this reason it is so important that thought is given to how we give feedback to children.
Bearing in mind that you may not know the exact contribution you are making to that child’s overall wellbeing.
As a social work practitioner, I have always found it strange that we recognise praise as vital for children.
Yet somehow, as a profession seem to overlook its importance in applying it to social workers.
It is as if, because social workers are adults they no longer need positive and constructive feedback.
The truth of course is that whoever we are we need praise.
I would go as far as saying that it is a universal need.
We need it from our friends, our lovers and in a different way, and appropriate time, we even need it from our children
?In my book I talk about the importance of praising others whenever this is possible.
Even when giving evidence and they are critical of you, if you can find something to say which is not competitive and instead suggests you value an aspect of them, you will stand out as being more balanced.
Few people do this, but you present far better when you do this, instead of criticising them in return.