Behavior Specific Praise for children, students and learners
When working with children, students, young learners, Behavior Specific Praise (BSP) means to acknowledge & validate by praising behaviors in a specific way.
BSP helps to cultivate confidence/ self worthiness, enrich language, reinforce positive social skills & academic skills.
There are so many external forces that seek to invalidate, dismiss & harm young Black & brown kiddos.
It’s important that Behavior Specific Praise is used to build up our babes so they can step out into the world with a strong sense of self, unshakable discernment & empathy.
Let’s not “Good Job!” children and young folks to death. It isn’t helpful. Behavior Species Praise requires some forethought, creativity, patience, empathy, tenderness & time for more engagement afterwards. It’s not for your faint of heart, for sure. But they are worth it!
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Examples:
Wow! I saw you helped Lorraine up as she fell down & hurt her knee, Monica! You’re such a kind friend!
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The red & purple lines on your page are BEAUTIFUL! Can you tell me about this drawing, Adrienne?
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Thanks for remembering to pour the flour in this bowl, Antoine! You're an AMAZING chef!!
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You made a great pattern with these leaves, Monique! How’d you think of this?
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I see you rocking that baby doll so gently, Tony! You are a loving & kind caregiver!
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