Why Praising Achievement is Overrated

Psychoanalyst Stephen Grosz’s book The Examined Life explores the intricacies of our inner lives, as well as detailing the insights he gained during 25 years of practice.  One section of the book examines our misconceptions about the value of praising children for their achievements.  Surprisingly, lavishing praise upon a child can actually decrease motivation and performance.  A more integrated approach to educating children entails using presence as a guiding influence instead of the usual reward/punishment matrix.  Being present to a child performing a task can validate worth and emphasize the journey instead of just the result.Read the full article here:  Presence, Not Praise:  How To Cultivate a Healthy Relationship with Achievement