When I started going to yoga classes back in 2003, I found a class that I loved. It made me work hard physically, it appealed to me intellectually, and the teacher would give me positive praise! How often do we, as adults, get positive praise somewhere??? Not often. I can't believe what a difference that made to me. The teacher purposefully learned everyones name so she could give positive feedback.
In a teacher development workshop last week, I realized again the importance and effectiveness of positive reinforcement/feedback. Research shows that when you praise a specific behavior a child does, the likelihood of them doing it again increases tremendously, AND other students will mimic the behavior in hopes of getting that same praise.
Our words are so important. I realize that more and more as I teach. How I phrase tasks makes a huge difference in how the students do it! How I praise or don't praise behavior I want to see makes a huge difference in the behavior of the students.
So why is this harder for me to accomplish at home?? I do give positive reinforcement verbally and in other ways to my daughter. But I feel I could do more. And I don't think I give nearly enough to my husband. They say it can feel unnatural at first to word things properly. But eventually it feels natural. So I will start practicing now! And I challenge you to notice this week how much specific positive praise you get or give!
