101 Ways to Praise a Child

[Karenrbw]

101 Ways To Praise A Child

* Wow * Way To Go * Super * You're Special * Outstanding * Excellent * Great * Good * Neat * Well Done * Remarkable * I Knew You Could Do It * I'm Proud Of You * Fantastic * Super Star * Nice Work * Looking Good * You're On Top Of It * Beautiful * Now You're Flying * You're Catching On * Now You've Got It * You're Incredible * Bravo * You're Fantastic * Hurray For You * You're On Target * You're On Your Way * How Nice * How Smart * Good Job * That's Incredible * Hot Dog * Dynamic * You're Beautiful * You're Unique * Nothing Can Stop You Now * Good For You * I like You * You're A Winner * Remarkable Job * Beautiful Work * Spectacular * You're Spectacular * You're A Darling * You're Precious * Great Discovery * You've Discovered The Secret * You Figured It Out * Fantastic Job * Hip, Hip, Hurray * Bingo * Magnificent * Marvelous * Terrific * You're Important * Phenomenal * You're Sensational * Super Work * Creative Job * Super Job * Fantastic Job * Exceptional Performance * You're A Real Trooper * You Are Responsible * You Are Exciting * You Learned It Right * What An Imagination * What A Good Listener * You Are Fun * You're Growing Up * You Tried Hard * You Care * Beautiful Sharing * Outstanding Performance * You're A Good Friend * I Trust You * You're Important * You Mean Alot To Me * You Make Me Happy * You Belong * You've Got A Friend * You Make Me Laugh * You Brighten My Day * I Respect You * You Mean The World To Me * That's Correct * You're A Joy * You're A Treasure * You're Wonderful * You're Perfect * Awesome * A Plus Job * You're The Best * A Big Hug * A Big Kiss * I Love You!

[busbus]

101 Ways To Praise A Child

* Wow * Way To Go * Super * You're Special * Outstanding * Excellent * Great * Good * Neat * Well Done * Remarkable * I Knew You Could Do It * I'm Proud Of You * Fantastic * Super Star * Nice Work * Looking Good * You're On Top Of It * Beautiful * Now You're Flying * You're Catching On * Now You've Got It * You're Incredible * Bravo * You're Fantastic * Hurray For You * You're On Target * You're On Your Way * How Nice * How Smart * Good Job * That's Incredible * Hot Dog * Dynamic * You're Beautiful * You're Unique * Nothing Can Stop You Now * Good For You * I like You * You're A Winner * Remarkable Job * Beautiful Work * Spectacular * You're Spectacular * You're A Darling * You're Precious * Great Discovery * You've Discovered The Secret * You Figured It Out * Fantastic Job * Hip, Hip, Hurray * Bingo * Magnificent * Marvelous * Terrific * You're Important * Phenomenal * You're Sensational * Super Work * Creative Job * Super Job * Fantastic Job * Exceptional Performance * You're A Real Trooper * You Are Responsible * You Are Exciting * You Learned It Right * What An Imagination * What A Good Listener * You Are Fun * You're Growing Up * You Tried Hard * You Care * Beautiful Sharing * Outstanding Performance * You're A Good Friend * I Trust You * You're Important * You Mean Alot To Me * You Make Me Happy * You Belong * You've Got A Friend * You Make Me Laugh * You Brighten My Day * I Respect You * You Mean The World To Me * That's Correct * You're A Joy * You're A Treasure * You're Wonderful * You're Perfect * Awesome * A Plus Job * You're The Best * A Big Hug * A Big Kiss * I Love You!

Thanks! Good resource for my new teachers.

In addition to verbal praise, many of our teachers at all levels do the "High Five" to let students know that they did or are doing a great job.

[Bananas]

I believe in you! You have a good attitude! You make good use of your time!

[sweetsass]

LOVE this post, as I have always been a big believer in positive reinforcement, and seen its benefits.

You can create your own phrase out of any of those listed above. It can also be extended to coaching (I am also a coach), i.e. way to be a leader, excellent pass, that's the way to play defense, etc. Putting the kid's name in there is also a good thing. :D

[upnorthteacher]

These are great! I have a poster similar to this next to my desk to remind me to keep the positives coming.

[MsCoffeeLover]

One of the things I am famous for are my positive notes home. I always put a little something in there that shows how well I know/admire the child. None of my notes are "standard" positive notes. There is always a little something special and unique to each note. Kids actually work for these, and I make it a point to write a certain number per week--especially after a child was not so nice.

Plus, in my room, I kind of live in a happy bubble, so it always positive, but with a handful of not so positive moments.

Our school has positive referral forms. That was something I have never seen before. Also, we just implemented some kind of star program. We have these tickets that we can issue to the students for positive recognition. Each child's name is put on star, and there is a different colored star for each grade level. All the stars will be posted around the school, and there will be an end of the year incentive for the grade level with the most starts. There will also be monthly rewards like gift cards.

It is weird being in a relatively supportive county. In the previous county, it was total dog eat dog, so I now tend to do everything by myself--discipline and positive recognition. I have to remind myself to be part of these programs as my regular reward system is positive and praise and not attached to anything tangible.

[sweetsass]

Our school has positive referral forms.


That's amazing, MCL. How does that work at your school, i.e. what's the process?

[busbus]

Our school has positive referral forms. That was something I have never seen before.


This is a neat idea. I'm curious, also. Just how does this work?

In the district where I work, we use "pink slips" for discipline referrals. I could see using a bright, warm color for a positive referral form.

Yes, I like this idea.

[MsCoffeeLover]

I apologize for my delayed response.

Well, as I was looking at the positive referral form today, I noticed you could check off any number of positive behaviors and there is that "other" box. The teacher fills it out, saying all kinds of nice things, and then we turn it in to our administrator. The administrator then contacts the parent with the good news.

Administrators often have to contact parents for discipline, and ours have decided to contact parents for positive qualities as well.

[Aziz]

We have the same thing at my school. We have "alerts" and they can be positive, negative or neutral.

-Aziz

[busbus]

I apologize for my delayed response.

Well, as I was looking at the positive referral form today, I noticed you could check off any number of positive behaviors and there is that "other" box. The teacher fills it out, saying all kinds of nice things, and then we turn it in to our administrator. The administrator then contacts the parent with the good news.

Administrators often have to contact parents for discipline, and ours have decided to contact parents for positive qualities as well.

:) Fabulous ... Thanks for the info!

[MsCoffeeLover]

I am thinking about starting a positive word wall. Granted, I teach Science and Social Studies, but it is still amazing how many negative words come out of folks mouths first--even kids. My favorite word seems to be "delightful" so I could stand to branch out. One time we were doing something in science, and I said, "Now isn't that just delightful?" and another student said, "It was exquisite." We have to get him a few extra words as well.

Sometimes we applaud kids in class for certain things like if a student who is normally a behavior challenge decides to actually participate or a student who never turns anything in actually turns something in. Some folks may not care for that kind of attention, but so far for the kids that I have had this extra incentive has worked. Sometimes the students actually recommend a student for a "star reward" or something. It's cute.

[busbus]

I have been thinking about this "positive referral form" and was reminded of some of the strategies that I have seen teachers use. One is "Caught you being good" and another is "Random Acts of Kindness." In both cases, students and/or the class receives points for positive comments from staff and visitors during the day. Students are rewarded by the teacher in some fashion and they are honored at award assemblies. The points that the class earns as a whole, I think that the reward is some kind of party.

Some teachers post pictures of these students under the respective caption. I have seen class points earned graphed outside of the classroom with a goal target identified. The students try to reach that goal, I guess they will have a grand celebration when they meet it.

[MsCoffeeLover]

Bus bus, I really liked your suggestion on the color of the positive referral form. Just recently I set aside time to actually fill out three of them. The colored paper is a great idea. With that idea came another idea. With the "star" program, we give out tickets and send them to the office and the volunteers put the students name on the corresponding star. With busbus' suggestion, I went out and got some gold card stock and have decided to turn these tickets into "Golden tickets." My kids are working hard for a "Golden Ticket"

How do y'all determine what is "star" or positive referral form worthy? The random act of kindness thing is good. Personally, I do not like to reward students for expected behaviors so defining the behavior is something I need to get better at. The recognition in the hallway thing was good. That student that hasn't done any work all year turns his first assignment in sounds like a good thing. I just want to make the recognition really count for something and stand out to the student.

[busbus]

Bus bus, I really liked your suggestion on the color of the positive referral form. Just recently I set aside time to actually fill out three of them. The colored paper is a great idea. With that idea came another idea. With the "star" program, we give out tickets and send them to the office and the volunteers put the students name on the corresponding star. With busbus' suggestion, I went out and got some gold card stock and have decided to turn these tickets into "Golden tickets." My kids are working hard for a "Golden Ticket"

How do y'all determine what is "star" or positive referral form worthy? The random act of kindness thing is good. Personally, I do not like to reward students for expected behaviors so defining the behavior is something I need to get better at. The recognition in the hallway thing was good. That student that hasn't done any work all year turns his first assignment in sounds like a good thing. I just want to make the recognition really count for something and stand out to the student.



MsCoffeeLover,

Glad the idea was worth a try. Your extension, Golden Tickets, is a great idea.

The incentives were decided by grade-group teachers who came up with their own point system. I'm not sure what warranted a "point."

The one that I like the most is, "Random Act of Kindness." These are so unexpected by the students. It reminds me of the Hallmark card commercial when the little boy brings home a card from his teacher. When mom read the card, with the son's permission, the teacher had written, "You didn't have to do what you did!" Mom asked him what he had done, so he explained that he had stayed indoors during recess and played with a classmate who was in a wheelchair. Mom asked him why he did that and he said, "Because I wanted to; it was no big thing!" He hadn't expected a reward for playing with a friend ... but, sometimes it's nice to be acknowledge for the little things that you do.

Love your "Golden Tickets" idea. Let me know how it works out.

[dangercat]

I acutally gave my practicum teacher a copy of that last semester when she was part of some test group that was trying to improve their postive to negative comments in the classroom.

[Suzie]

Hi there. I'm a teacher, and also a mom, which makes me a parent during parent teacher relations. I'm looking for advice, from the experts, all of you! My teaching methods are always geared toward encouragement, praise, and giving my students the willingness to learn through kindness, and respect.
My son's teacher posts the following comments on his homework. He is in grade five, and this is what she's said since the first week: That is terrible! The worst HomeWORK I've ever SEEN. Although it's an improvement, MAN O MAN, Ship up or Ship out! A note to ALL parents, unacceptable homework will done over, and so far that means the WHOLE class. She also put I Can't read this, poor work. Again--- POOOR-- REPEAT. Horrible effort. I will never accept this type of terrible work ever AGAIN!
My son is getting nervous about his homework. He is erasing his words and gets very upset when it's homework time, scared she'll yell at him when he goes to school. He's been doing his very best to do his homework, and it really is his very best writing. He isn't capable of doing any better, and I suspect it's the same for the rest of the class. He is the type of child who cleans his room and makes his bed.. most days. He is by nature a neat child.
And this teacher does it to ALL the kids. His writing is actually very good. He is a whip at Math. He's always gotten his spelling words all right.
I understand she is trying to get the best out of the kids.
But isn't kindness and encouragement a better method?
My question is, does any of you have any suggestions on how to handle her without making it worse?
One of my coworkers one time had a poster that said something about a kind word, a smile when you've done well, and praise encourages the willingness to learn. But I can't recall all the words.
Kids will want to learn and please their teachers when their teachers are being positive, and kind. I wrote her a note and told her that.
I would like to give her a nice poster saying something to that effect, do any of you have any posters like that, or know where I can find one?
Thanks-- Susan

[jsfowler]

I love that...I also found it a few years ago and gave it to the other teachers at my middle school school. Many of us put them in the beginning-of-the-year packet that goes home to parents.

I live in a very low socioeconomic area. Our principals and fellow teachers are the type that sees the good in every child. Decipline is great but there is usually a pep talk, a high five, a pat on the back, and even a hug afterwards. Yes, we still hug our students at my school...many of them need it....it is the only hug they get all day. I do not want to imagine the home life that some of my students have. We do all we can during school and with family resource and child services but sometimes there is nothing more you can do except greet them with a smile every day, encourage them, feed them all they can eat, and send them home with a hug and a "See ya tomorrow".

Sorry, I just get very emotional about my "babies" as I can them. And suprisingly enough, the middle schoolers don't mind because they know it means I will be there for them no matter what.

[MissTeach]

When my son was in elementary school, he had a teacher who used negative terms constantly. He got to the point that he would erase a whole sentence if one letter went below the line. He was tense and stressed all year. I didn't take action because I didn't want to cause trouble since I was 'in the system'. Now I wish I had moved him to another class or something. We worked with him at home by telling him positive things, but he was still unhappy all year. I believe an administrator should work with this teacher and help her learn to use positive and uplifting language. I always look for something good in my students' work, and I use terms like 'a way to improve is.....'

[busbus]

Suzie,

I think that you will be able to find a poster that might work for you on www.allposters.com

Check out its motivational or inspirational posters.

Instead of encouraging, this teacher is discouraging her students. How can they learn or are willing to truly try if their nerves are always on edge? Personally, I would have to speak to her. If this doesn't work, then I would speak with the principal. These students, at their young age, could have a nervous breakdown or get ulcers...at the very least, be affected in some negative way.

Eventually, the students may just give up --- there's no way of pleasing her!

[MsCoffeeLover]

Aside from buying a poster, which I do believe there is one at the teaching stores of just motivating words, I have often taken quotes from famous folks and make little things out of them like posters, postcards, calendars, etc.

[jsfowler]

There are some good quotes in Harry Wong's "First Days..." book. I have them around my room and on my "Welcome to Success" powerpoint that I show in class every year.

[busbus]

:) I see that I'm not by myself in creating my own posters. I've given my new teachers a lot of quotes to use in their classroom and with their students.

After creating a few on card stock for them, I usually send them a list of websites to pick and select the ones they want. I just like to get them started.

This year I have a new teacher whose classroom was changed, so she had to take down all of her displays. Unfortunately she did not save her borders. So, I'm thinking of creating borders for her - quotes, formulas, geometry graphics and algebra graphics. I'll do enough just to get her started.

[zfilippidis]

Praising a child is definitely one of the best things a teacher could do, especially if they're not getting the support they need at home. One of my Professors at the University always says, "Love me when I'm most unlovable." I couldn't agree more! Sometimes when kids act out, it's because they are calling out to you for some sense of caring and approval. Don't be afraid to hear their cry, you could be the one to save them!

[Suzie]

When my son was in elementary school, he had a teacher who used negative terms constantly. He got to the point that he would erase a whole sentence if one letter went below the line. He was tense and stressed all year. I didn't take action because I didn't want to cause trouble since I was 'in the system'. Now I wish I had moved him to another class or something. We worked with him at home by telling him positive things, but he was still unhappy all year. I believe an administrator should work with this teacher and help her learn to use positive and uplifting language. I always look for something good in my students' work, and I use terms like 'a way to improve is.....'

It breaks my heart when I hear of children that had to go through what your son did. I know the hardest thing to do, is stand by and helplessly watch. I really believe children who have kindness at home, are really shocked and feel helpless when they run into a teacher who is cruel and rude, and negative to them. You can really tell when a child comes from a peaceful home, when they go through that, because they don't know how to react. And it affects them deep in their heart, even if they try not to show it.

My son's teacher actually asked him what he thought of her.
He thinks she's mean, but he wouldn't say that. Instead he said, "I think you are a person, and all people matter."
She got very cross with him, and told him, "No, I'm your teacher, and you better not forget it."

I don't know what that means, it sounds rather silly.
Anyway, I also tell my son positive things when he is home. I tell him that his homework looks great, I help him improve where it's needed, and that he is a kind person, what ever insult he had that day, I counteract it with encouragement..

I told him "She's only trying to put hair on your chest."

He doesn't understand what that means, but I'm trying to make it a light affair. He will only have her for the year and it will be over, and I keep telling him that he won't remember her years from now.. and nothing she says will stay with him, because he has mom who knows he's very good at school, with people, and all the not nice things she says doesn't mean a thing.

What else can I do? But I am going to take it up with the school.. Her negativity is affecting what little time we have together during the week. It takes a long time to cheer him up after school, and I suspect the others are going through the same thing.. Maybe if we do it together, then something good will come of it.

Thank you for sharing, and answering my plea..

Suzie..

[MissTeach]

I'm glad you are going to go to administration about your son's teacher. She needs to change her philosophy and become an encourager instead of discouraging her students.

Just to let you know, my son just turned 26 and he is a high school teacher and coach. Occasionally he will mention 'that mean teacher', but mostly her refers to the teacher he had the next year. She was wonderful and helped us change his attitude toward school. She helped our son believe he was a good student again!!

[sgaestel]

Why would that teacher ask the student what he thought of her? I don't want to know what some of my students think of me!
That brings a personal level into the teacher/student relationship that doesn't need to be there, you are right to go to administration.

[Aziz]

One of the reasons I became a teacher is because I had so many teachers that always had some sort of criticism. As a result, I am a huge believer in positive encouragement!

I have many memories of writing four-page essays by hand and having to rewrite each page because I had misspelled one word. I was taught in a school system that heavily emphasized neat penmanship. I was legally blind throughout most of my schooling, so naturally my handwriting was pretty sloppy. I spent a lot of time in detention rewriting essays and practicing the formation of my letters, etc. No one ever thought to give me a vision evaluation until I insisted my parents bring me to the eye doctor, and by then I had a lot of vision problems that could have been corrected had they been caught earlier.

I think it is important to look deeper when a student is misbehaving. Sometimes the student is misbehaving just for the sake of misbehaving. But other times it's because s/he has a disability or s/he is going through a hard time at home. I know I can't be every child's psychologist, but I think it is important to consider every possibility. Many times the signs are obvious, but it is just a matter of noticing them. I firmly believe that children are good people and when they misbehave, it is in response to their environment.

It is vital to point out when a student is doing well because if a student never knows when s/he's doing the right thing, s/he'll never know to do it again. Everyone, especially children, need to know that they are lovable and loved, and considering how much time children spend at school, we as teachers are absolutely responsible for contributing to that message!

I send home a lot of positive notes to my students homes. That way a letter from school is not always associated with "bad news." Unfortunately, my students tell me that they are still terrified because there are still teachers that only send home negative alerts.

-Aziz

[Bananas]

One powerful tool is to take the moment and call home or work during class to tell the parent the positive message of something noteworthy. Students love that and others pick up on that.

[hot_teacher]

I love the "positive referral form" idea. I have to mention that one to my principal!

[MsCoffeeLover]

Our school wide positive behavior program is still going strong. Stars are proudly displayed all over the halls of the school. We have already had a raffle, but I think we are due for another one.

What has really helped with my kids is that I have gotten personally involved in this incentive program. Other than my students and the coordinator of the program, no one knows that I actually donate two ten dollar gift cards every pay period (which reminds me that I need to go get some more).

My kids and I discuss what kinds of gift cards students their age would like, and I go and get them. The gift cards that I have gotten so far are for Blockbuster, Regal Cinema, Barnes and Noble, Itunes, and some others I can't think of right now.

You should see them crossing their fingers hoping their name is going to get called. One of my students did win and screamed like a little girl he was in such shock. The students confirmed his behavior in homeroom. It was great that one of my kids won because that helps spread the word and promotes the program.

We celebrate and praise every little thing. Friday was a girl who always turns in her opening activities late. It was the first time she turned them in with the rest of the class, and I gave her a star and a golden ticket. We don't always use our social studies textbooks, so every now and I again I come up with an activity that needs it. Whoever brought their book that day gets a star and a golden ticket.

Any time we get a compliment for hallway behavior, the entire class gets a ticket. That has only happened once, but it made my day and the kids.

I am all about positive stuff!