Do you Praise Intelligence or Effort?

How do you praise your students?  What language do you use to praise children?   What is your perspective when you praise?

All praise is good right?  Really think about the way in which your praise students.

For me, I like to praise the children when they are fulfilling expectations, I also need to micro praise those children who need acknowledgement at very small steps of the process.  I have always praised students at different steps of a given process. Heck, I praise students all the time.  I would often say, "I like the way you......".   However, I do praise children for their intelligence as well.  I more often use it as a way to give them a feeling of achievement and worthiness so they have the pre-sets to move forward.   But is this counter-productive?   Is this actually doing more damage than I plan?  

After watching this video, I know it will change and also refine the way I will interact with students. 

How does this impact how you praise? 

Watch this video based on a study by Carol Dweck and her colleges and leave a comment below. 

After watching this video, I wanted to compile a set of prompts to help keep on track.   I hope they help you too!   I would like to build on these praise comments.  So be sure to include your own prompt in the comments on this post. 

So here are some ideas for some effort and process orientated praise that you could use. 

I noticed that you went back to....

You have really grown at ..... 

The steps you took must have really helped you...

I see that you have been trying so hard at ...

You are becoming more confident at ....

Go on you for taking on such a hard task ...

You are taking on harder tasks and that must make you feel confident. 

I like the way that you ....

You must have tried really hard at this. 

I see that you are giving that a go, great thinking.

You remembered to use the procedure for ....

It must feel good to follow those steps you have taken. 

What a brilliant way to approach the task. 

I noticed you are thinking through the steps we discussed. 

You were confident with the task and I know you will be with the next step. 

I am watching the way you're approaching this and I think your effort is outstanding. 

Please feel free to comment below, I would love to add some of your ideas too. 

Thanks for dropping by!