Praise Effort More Than Perfection
As parents, it’s natural to want to celebrate every achievement—whether it’s a lovely drawing from nursery, a neat handwriting attempt, or a completed puzzle. We often say things like “That’s perfect!” or “You’re so smart!” to show how proud we are.
But did you know that how we praise our children can shape how they feel about learning?
Sometimes, we only praise when something looks “just right” or turns out perfectly. But when we overlook the times they’ve tried hard and didn’t get it “right,” children may start to feel that they’re only valued when they succeed.
This can make them afraid to try new things or worried about making mistakes.
Instead, let’s focus on praising effort, not just the result.
Even if the painting is just scribbled lines or the puzzle isn’t finished, your child still used focus, patience, and perseverance—and that matters!
Try saying:
“You worked so hard on that!”
“You kept going, even when it was tricky—well done!”
“I’m proud of how you tried your best.”
This kind of praise builds confidence, resilience, and a healthy attitude toward learning. It teaches children that it’s okay to make mistakes, and that trying their best is what really counts.
At home, you can support your child by:
Noticing their effort, not just when the result is “perfect”
Encouraging them when something feels difficult
Celebrating small wins—a little improvement still means progress!
Let’s raise children who are not only capable but confident—children who know that learning takes time, effort matters, and mistakes are part of the journey.
Your words have power—thank you for using them to help your child grow.
