Feedback Strategies

Well here I am again with the will to give a feedback on the certain articles that Shaun has given that I have chosen. And out of the 8 articles kindly given. Here is what I have to say about the 2 articles that I have chosen.

Preschoolers and Praise: What Kinds of Messages Help Kids Grow? by Deborah Farmer Kris

These preschool children are in the early stages of developing their self concept, they mentally picture of who they are, what they can do, and who and what they are capable of becoming growing up as well as in the future. During this period of time, the language parents and educators use with preschoolers -- particularly when they face challenges or struggle to learn new skills -- can help them shape a healthy mental model of how people learn and grow.

Messages for Every Type of Child:

• It’s okay for you to be different from me – we will work out our differences
• You can try new things and find your own way of doing things
• It’s okay to make mistakes
• You can take all the time you need to grow up
• You’re so creative and imaginative
• Trust your ideas; they’re brilliant
  
• It’s okay for you to take your time and think things through
• You’re so strong
• You don’t have to talk to other people if you don’t want to

Think

Connect after school class to learning. Talk about the new opportunities for learning and the new experiences after school offers kids of all ages. Use clear descriptive language to paint a picture for people about the fun, creative projects and activities kids are doing in after school class.

Parents want kids to have time to explore what interests them and get excited about learning. They appreciate the value of completing homework, but place even greater value on new and different learning opportunities, avoiding risky behaviours (online and offline), social time, physical activity, and time spent offline. 

Five Reasons to Stop Saying Good Job! by Alfie Kohn

When children hang out at the park, go to school, or show up at a birthday party, and there is always that one phrase you can count on hearing repeatedly: "Good job!" Even tiny infants are praised for clapping their hands together ("Good clapping!"). Saying this children to the point that it has become almost a verbal tic.

Manipulating children. 

Offering the saying to reinforce the behavior of a two­ year­old who eats without spilling, or a five ­year­old who cleans up after themselves. 

The reason praise can work in the short run is that young children are hungry for the approval of their parents. 

Stealing a child’s pleasure. 

Apart from the issue of dependence, a child deserves to take delight in her accomplishments, to feel pride in what she’s learned how to do. 

But a constant stream of value judgments is neither necessary nor useful for children’s development. 

Create kids who are dependent upon praise. 

Tired

Instead of being proud or satisfied with their accomplishments, kids may begin to feel unsure of themselves without the boost that comes from our praise. In other words, instead of providing reassurance to kids, the phrase “Good job!” can, over time, make kids feel insecure in themselves and their actions. Instead of being the confident, self-assured kids we hope our kids will be, we end up creating kids who are over-reliant on others’ evaluations of them and their actions in order to feel good about themselves.

It’s incredibly easy to mindlessly use the phrase “good job,” for example:

• Good job at soccer today.
• You ate all your lunch, good job.
• Good job picking up your clothes.
• Thanks for putting your shoes on by yourself, you did a good job.
• Good job jumping off the diving board by yourself.
• That was so nice of you to share your toys, good job!

Thanks fro reading my Feedback Strategies, Bye ;)

- Tochi