How to Praise Children for a Job Well Done
Public and Private Praise will Encourage Students to Perform Well
Apr 3, 2009
It is important to praise children for a job well done. This helps them to feel good about themselves and be willing to continue to try harder. While it may be difficult to find something to praise children for, with a variety of ways to say good job, you will be able to find something to praise each day.
Praise Children Publicly
Praising children publicly has the benefit of inspiring other students to follow the example. Even though students may act embarrassed, the positive attention often fills a void that children have due to lack of positive attention at home. Here are some ways to praise children publicly.
- Create a praises bulletin board to display great work.
- Pick a student's work to publicly praise during or after class.
- During class, find little things to praise aloud. For example: "I really like how Devon is reading so quietly" or "Susan, what great handwriting! I hope everyone can write their words as neatly as you are!"
- Thank students for being responsible, for example, "thank you for picking up those books for me!" and "I really appreciate the great job you are doing of walking quietly in hallway!"
The more you point out the positive things students do, the more students will work to receive your praise. Public praise is an excellent way to keep students behaving appropriately as well. Focus on praising children who are particularly troublesome in your class, as this will help them shape up faster than being compared to their classmates.
Praise Children Privately
Praising children quietly for a job well done is an alternative to public praise when a student is particularly sensitive. Quietly praising a student for following directions, neat handwriting or correct answers can be a great motivator for students. Consider the student's personality when deciding whether to give public or private praise for a job well done.
Ways to Praise Children for a Job Well Done
Praising a child for a job well done, whether public or private, can help promote the behaviors that you want to see in the classroom. Use the following phrases to praise children for a job well done:
- Great job!
- I'm proud of you!
- Thank you for listening!
- What great listeners!
- Thank you for being great helpers!
- Nice job!
- Awesome!
- Stupendous!
- Super job!
- Amazing work!
Praise children for a job well done each day. Be sure, though, that your praise is honest. The more your students hear you thank them for doing the right thing or doing well on their work, the better your students will behave and perform in class. Use both public and private praise each day to inspire students and let them know you are proud of them.
Read more tips for student discipline. You may also be interested in reading additional tips for new teachers. Looking for inspiration? Check out these inspiring quotes for teachers.
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