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Show Praise helps children : The basketball player takes a pass from a teammate, leaps, and scores with an easy lay-up without, moving a single step. The fans watching these pros roar. As he heads downcourt, the man who scored catches the eye of the teammate who rifled frebaU to him and smilingly points" to him-a wordless statement of recognition for that good play by the passer. That kind of honest praise for a job well done can work wonders in motivating . people. Some busi-' ; nesses make some rather remark- able efforts to show exceptional employees they're appreciated. ? One company assembles its entire en-tire work force, calls a high . achiever to the front of the room, praises that person lavishly, and hands the honored employee a check and a plaque. The company even hires a brass band for the occasion. ; ' S Young people respond to sincere praise, too. The operative word In that last sentence is "sincere." Children are amazingly adept at recognizing re-cognizing a phony compliment 'when they hear one. r'Tf'r Y So the parent who heaps glowing words of admiration on a child's piano recital performance when the kid knows he blew it is a parent who's in danger. That little pianist may not accept the next compliment f ; his Dad gives him. , S : Don't worry about it, though. Deserved : praise builds the receiver's self-esteem. Most teachers will probably tell you that a student's very best piece of equipment for succeeding in school is high self-esteem. Anything parents do to build it will be appreciated. |