The Power of Praise

Kids often battle with low self-esteem, especially those nearing the junior high years. In an after-school program like Starfish, we don’t know how much affirmation the kids receive at home. One thing is sure, however, a word of encouragement here and there will go a LONG way towards preserving the emotional well-being of a child.

A phenomenon I have witnessed at Starfish is that once you praise a child for doing something well, especially in front of a group, they enjoy the feeling of approval so much that they often strive to keep up the good work. On the other hand, if you constantly berate a kid for their shortcomings, they will eventually get the impression that you have it in for them, and may not even perceive that they have a problem. This is why it is important to pepper in praise even when you are correcting someone. Try to focus on the things that the child is doing well.

Of course, some kids (adults, too!) are a bottomless pit for approval and affection. No matter how many times you tell them how great you think they are, they have an insatiable need for more praise. These are the ones you find “fishing for compliments,” which means that they constantly try to get you to compliment them. You can only point these types of “needy” people to Jesus. He is the only one who can fill the need for love in their soul.

In short, uplifting children is a great way to create a positive educational environment, nurture a child’s spirit, and teach them a wholesome way to interact with people. You will be surprised how much impact a few well-spoken words of encouragement can have on a kid.

--Susan