Children are like sponges. They absorb every word that we say and then take it to heart. In fact children are constantly searching for approval and acceptance. We need to be sources of encouragement and hope for them, or they will find inappropriate ways to gain attention and approval. Giving children praise has often been the method we use to motivate and send messages of approval to them.
Praise can serve as an effective tool if used selectively and specifically with a child.
However, it is limited in its effectiveness when the focus is a verbal reward for a task well done, or a positive remark for being the best. Most children need much more than praise to build internal resources of worth and value. Words of encouragement are the key to helping children focus on their own efforts, improvements and choices. Children build feeling of adequacy and worth when they see that although they may not be perfect, their efforts and contributions are valued. Often just stating something in positive rather than negative terms is enormously helpful to a child.