Bad Praise, Good Praise

"According to a survey we conducted in the mid-1990's, 85 percent of parents believed that praising children's ability or intelligence when they perform well is important for making them feel smart. But our work shows that praising a child's intelligence makes a child fragile and defensive," reports Carole Dweck in her Scientific American Child article, "The Secret of Raising Smart Kids."

"So, too, does generic praise that suggests a stable trait, such as 'You are a good artist.' Praise can be very valuable, however, if it is carefully worded. Praise for the specific process a child used to accomplish something fosters motivation and confidence by focusing children on the actions that lead to success. Such process praise may involve commending effort, strategies, focus, persistence in the face of difficulty, and willingness to take on challenges."

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