Praise Effort, Not Just Results

Praise your child for their effort, not just their results. This helps them understand that hard work and dedication are valued and that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process

Praising effort rather than just results—is crucial in developing a growth mindset in children. This approach encourages kids to value the process of learning and improvement over simply achieving a favorable outcome. Let’s elaborate on this concept and explore its implications, along with practical suggestions on how to implement it.

The Concept

Growth Mindset: The idea of praising effort stems from the psychological theory of “growth mindset,” developed by Carol Dweck. This theory contrasts with a “fixed mindset.” A growth mindset encourages the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. In contrast, a fixed mindset assumes that these traits are static and unchangeable. When parents and educators praise the effort, they reinforce the growth mindset, helping children to become more resilient and persistent when faced with challenges.

Encouraging Perseverance: By focusing praise on the effort, children learn that persistence is a part of success. They become more willing to tackle difficult tasks and are less likely to give up because they start to understand that effort leads to improvement, regardless of the immediate results.

Handling Failure: Emphasizing effort helps children view failure as a learning opportunity rather than a humiliating setback. This perspective teaches them that setbacks are not reflections of their abilities but rather growth opportunities.

Practical Suggestions

1. Specific Praise: Instead of vague compliments like “Good job,” be specific about what the child did well. For example, “I noticed you spent a lot of time on your math homework tonight, that’s a great way to improve!”
2. Encourage Self-Assessment: Ask children to reflect on their learning process. Questions like “What was the most challenging part of your project? How did you handle it?” can help reinforce the value of their effort.
3. Model a Growth Mindset: Demonstrate your growth mindset. Share your challenges and how effort played a key role in overcoming them. This not only shows that struggle is normal but also that persistence pays off.
4. Reward Process Over Outcome: Set up rewards systems that acknowledge the process. For instance, create a chart that tracks the number of times a child attempts a task, not just when they succeed.
5. Discuss Famous Examples: Share stories of people who succeeded through effort and perseverance rather than innate talent. This could include historical figures, athletes, scientists, and artists.

Resources

To deepen your understanding and implementation of these strategies, here are some book recommendations:

• “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success“ by Carol S. Dweck – This book delves into the concept of mindset and provides insights on how changing our mindset can lead to success.
• “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance“ by Angela Duckworth – Duckworth explores the importance of grit and resilience in achieving success, supporting the idea that effort leads to mastery and achievement. Read our review.
• “The Effort Effect“ by Marina Krakovsky – This article discusses how a growth mindset can affect all aspects of life, including education, business, and relationships.

Implementing these practical tips and exploring these resources can help foster a supportive environment where children learn to value hard work and persistence, setting them up for lifelong success.