Praise in the Learning Area - Where Is Your Focus?

 Praise may be the art of making positive statements about a person, object or idea either in public areas or privately. It is an authentic expression of approval, admiration or commendation. Most of us love for praise because it makes us feel well about ourselves and gives feedback for our efforts. Learners are building their self- esteem and confidence, so are usually trying to find praise to bolster personal beliefs. It is very important to allow them to have positive input from you as their teacher.

In reality it's often much simpler to criticise than it's to compliment. Inappropriate behaviours tend to be more obvious than appropriate behaviours. Within learning areas we could be rushed for time and the best way to get attention from our learners is with significantly less than positive comments. "Hurry up and line up." "Girls at the trunk didn't you hear what I said?" discordservers"I appear to be conversing with myself today." instead of "This line is forming well and we still have 2 minutes to bell time." "Good job. You are all packing up nicely and creating a great line here." Compliments and encouragement go a long way to getting cooperation from your own learners. Even although you have to use a loud voice to get attention, positive comments will be heard and acted on, long before negative comments. Learners become "deaf" to constant negative comments.

Techniques for Praising Learners

 

• As soon as your learners are displaying appropriate behaviour say so.
• Single out individuals to give praise too but do not compare them with others. Comparisons may cause discord between learners.
• Use descriptive praise. That is when you say just what it is you are pleased with and the learners understand what you mean.
• Encourage appropriate behaviour with praise, "I could see that you will be thinking about your individual space today James.", and discourage inappropriate behaviour with "I" messages. "I'm not happy when you push in-front that way James. I'm worried someone gets hurt." NOT "James, go to the finish of the line or you'll hurt someone."
• Model appropriate gestures when you praise a learner. Open stance, clapping or smiling.
• Look for changes in behaviour and praise accordingly.
• Note that each learner differs but inside a learning area you will have guidelines and classroom rules to permit all learners to rehearse exactly the same level of behaviour.
• Encourage learner's interests and praise their progress.
• Be mindful of that which you are writing on learner's work being marked. Praise and criticism here will make or break a learner's confidence in subjects by which they're struggling.

 

Praising learners appropriately goes a long way to fulfilling your responsibility for nurturing them in the educational area. Remember you are their role model so be mindful of your behaviours in the educational area.

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