Praise Student Frequently

Why should I do it:

Some students need outward motivators
It helps keep students engaged
Provides encouragement
Boosts confidence, self-concept, and self-esteem
Increases student buy-in
Builds rapport and trust
Is uplifting
Increases students’ desire and drive to please and succeed
Increases students’ resilience
Helps embed an internal desire to try, succeed, and persist
Helps students to push through difficulty, barriers, blocks, etc

When should I do it:

Positive praise, according to research, should always be done with every student at a ratio of at least 4 positive praises to 1 criticism
When students are stuck, frustrated, getting bogged down, etc
When students exhibit good behavior, expectations, help others, show generosity, share, etc
When students put forth good effort
When students succeed, overcome, persist, push through, achieve, etc
When students demonstrate positive behaviors
When students use productive coping skills, problem solving skills, etc
When students are independent, self-start, etc
When students look down, need encouragement, are having issues, personal difficulties, peer conflict, etc
When you want to increase a positive behavior
When you want to improve trust and rapport with students
When a student steps outside their comfort zone, looks embarrassed, seems to feel stupid, takes a risk, etc

How do I do it:

Praise, according to research, should be given in a ratio ofat least4 praises to 1 criticism
When students display positive or productive behaviors, actions, skills, characteristics, etc, or appear to need some encouragement, etc, verbally praise the student and/or give them a high-five, pat on the back, clap, exclamation, cheer, hop, etc
Praise can be done either quietly or if the student is motivated by peer approval, can be done in front of the class
Praise can be verbal or physical (like pat on the back, fist pump, head nod, hop, jump, etc)
When delivering praise, use direct eye contact, positive demeanor, open body position, and get to the level of the student if possible
Make praises specific, personalized, and individualized
Repeat praises if the student seems unconvinced at the first stating of the praise
Restate praises in different ways to get the point across

Resources & Support for technique: