Parenting

Research Says Praising Your Child Improves Their Academic Performance

Research Says Praising Your Child Improves Their Academic Performance

The mantra for parents and children of a certain generation was ‘spare the rod, spoil the child’. Many people believe that praising their child too much could hinder their children in the long run. However, according to recent research, praising children can impact children positively on improving their academic performance. 

It is an orientation of parents towards their children. Additionally, it positively impacts on reinforcement of children’s success and confidence. 

Praising Children is Self-Fulfilling Prophecy:

Professor Parker’s team collected data from more than 2,600 Australian children. Through the NAPLAN test, they track their academic performance between grades 3, 4, and 7. Also, collected data from their primary caretaker about their children’s academic performance. 

They found that in year 5, the parents who overestimated their kids’ ability were optimistic. Furthermore, the kids did better in subsequent NAPLAN tests. Also, their interest grew. 

The kids were more interested in maths and were interested in reading than pessimistic parents. The parents beyond English-speaking backgrounds had significantly positive judgments compared to English-speaking mothers. According to the Professor, parent’s optimism can benefit their children in many ways. 

Changing Attitudes:

You eventually change your parenting style as you grow older. As a parent, you will try to change your attitude towards your children. You will try to adopt the new culture and grow with your children. 

According to Warren Cann, the generation was reluctant previously to praise their children for fear of spoiling them. However, recognizing the positive influence, encouragement, and positive feedback on children’s self-esteem, relationship and resilience has evolved more in the present generation. Furthermore, in today’s world, the conversation is more about delivering praise.

Too Much Praise:

Encouragement and positive feedback from parents have given a strong impact on children’s academic performance. However, is giving much praise determined in the long run? There are several conflicting ideas regarding praise. 

If you praise your children for their effort then there’s not much risk in overdoing it. Praising their good effort will encourage them to work harder. However, sometimes too much praise can back down your kids. 

As it might limit them and would not effort any further. Also, parents should first figure out why they are raising their children. 

 Better Way:

Praising your children is not just encouragement. Telling your children that they are smart is not an effective way to encourage their learning. However, you should first take interest in their hobby or homework and then say it’s interesting.

 Ask your children about their thinking and plans. It can help to promote your children’s learning and generate real love of learning. Your praise is not contingent but is furthered by your praise. 

Importance:

According to McCormack, it is important to praise your children when you give constructive criticism. As we say it’s good to offer criticism between compliments. However, praising children too much might be negative or undesirable. 

You must praise it when it’s authentic. Whenever you feel something real and happy seeing your children’s behavior, jump on it and let them know you actually mean it. 

Also Read: Effects of Teachers’ Expectations on Academic Outcomes

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