Encouraging Children
Our encouraging words should aim at building children’s self-confidence. Children need to understand that it is okay to make mistakes; trial and error are part of the learning process, and that is how we all master new and challenging skills. Teachers and parents can encourage children to remain optimistic and positive in their ability to learn new skills or to improve current skills. When the child makes a mistake, simply shifting his/her focus from failure (problem-oriented) to hopefulness (solution-oriented) can do wonders in improving the child’s attitude and self-confidence. We can help children see academic errors and mistakes as both external to them ―not as a personality trait that defines who they are― and controllable , that is, something that the child can improve through effort and using learning or coping strategies. We help children focus on effort when we consistently notice and appreciate the child’s effort. Teachers and parents also encourage children when we help...