English Champ @ Literacy World: How to Effectively Praise Your Child

Monday, June 16, 2008

How to Effectively Praise Your Child

Parenting experts tell us that it is important to praise your children regularly, and that praise affects behavior patterns more than discipline does. And one of the best ways to show your love and concern to your children is to give them positive feedback. Here are some tips and ideas about effectively praising your child.

1. Tell the child specifically what they are doing, or what they did, that you are happy with. For example, "Taylor, I appreciate how you are sharing your toys with Steve." Or, "Kara, it made me feel good today when I saw you go out of your way to clean up after your little sister."
2. When you praise them, make direct eye contact so they know they have your full attention. Giving them a little pat on the shoulder or a squeeze of their hand or arm will further reinforce your positive feedback.
3. Make sure the comment you make is all positive. Sometimes as parents, we may be tempted to insert a little sarcasm or negativity. Have you ever found yourself saying something like "Good job on cleaning up your room, Sam. After all my nagging, it's about time you did it on your own." Leave out the negatives and your child will hear real praise.
4. Consider using a double dose of praise. This one you can do with your partner or another adult. First, praise the child alone. Then, later, tell your partner or another adult about the good deed. Then, the other adult gives positive feedback also. This "double dose" concept sends an extra strong message of positive reinforcement.
5. You can also praise with non-verbal methods. A hug, a smile, a wink, or a pat on the shoulder can also communicate love, acceptance and appreciation.

Tips:
1. Try to find at least three opportunities every day to praise your child. The more praise, the better.
2. Often, children need attention; even negative attention is better than no attention at all. Giving frequent praise can avoid the need for children to act out inappropriately to get parental attention.
3. Always try to reprimand in private, but praise in public.

Source: http://fatherhood.about.com/od/effectivediscipline/ht/effectivepraise.htm?nl=1

English Champ @ Literacy World

We cannot stress just how important English is in today’s world. Learning English, you join approximately one billion other people in the world who are engaged in the same pursuit. English is an international language for communication in business, banking, finance, medicine, technology, science, aviation, tourism, entertainment and without a doubt, the most widely used medium for communication today, the Internet.

Just obtaining good grades for English in school is not enough. Your child needs to be equipped with the right tools on how to use the language. Like any other languages, there are four skills in English language which one needs to possess – reading, writing, speaking and listening.

At English Champ, we teach your child these four skills in enjoyable lessons where your child will come to learn and understand English through simulated scenarios to use the language appropriately. Your child will learn English without pressure through fun activities conducted by our trained teachers. This would promote an interest in English language which would lead your child to use the language effortlessly. Learning in a safe and loving environment of English Champ, your child will grow to be more eloquent in English and would bring these skills acquired to adulthood.