Parent Toolkit: Debunking the Belief that "Good Job" is a Good Thing to Say to Kids
When I taught a university course as an adjunct, I invited children from a local child care center to come to the class once a week to work with my physical education and early childhood majors. And once a week, at least a few dozen times, I’d hear the phrase “good job!” from my students, in response to something the children had done.
“Good job!” “Good job!” “Good job!” “Good job!”
Now, I realize that there are educators who have been taught specifically to use praise and “positive reinforcement” to encourage kids – and parents, sadly, have been misinformed that they must praise children for everything they do, from eating their veggies to blowing their nose – so it might have seemed that my university students were doing a good job. But I winced every time I heard it.
To read more of this article click here!
When I taught a university course as an adjunct, I invited children from a local child care center to come to the class once a week to work with my physical education and early childhood majors. And once a week, at least a few dozen times, I’d hear the phrase “good job!” from my students, in response to something the children had done.
“Good job!” “Good job!” “Good job!” “Good job!”
Now, I realize that there are educators who have been taught specifically to use praise and “positive reinforcement” to encourage kids – and parents, sadly, have been misinformed that they must praise children for everything they do, from eating their veggies to blowing their nose – so it might have seemed that my university students were doing a good job. But I winced every time I heard it.
To read more of this article click here!
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