Effective Praise

Pre-Service Workshop

The Continuum

Nonverbal

Nonverbal Praise – positive facial expressions and gestures (smiling, raised eyes)

Verbal

Praise

Verbal Praise – statements indicating approval (“good job”, “awesome”)

Specific

Praise

Specific Praise –a praise statement with a description of the appropriate behavior AND skill labeling (Great! You just emptied the trash immediately, showing me you were following instructions.)

Effective

Praise

Effective Praise –a praise statement, description of the appropriate behavior, skill labeling, PLUS rationale and consequence - CATCH THEM BEING GOOD!

When To Use

Reinforcing a weak skill

(Including approximations)

Teaching a new skill

(and following preventive teaching)

Why To UseEffective Praise:

Provides specific reinforcement

Increases likelihood of consistent future use and generalization

Helps build positive adult/youth relationships

Creates a positive learning environment (minimum 4:1 ratio of positives to negatives)

Why To UseEffective Praise:

If a youth is difficult for you to get along with, try the praise experiment:

Increase your frequency of effective praise

They will like being around you because you are pleasant

You, in turn, will like being around them because they are more pleasant

When PraisingMake it appropriate to the youth’s age and ability

Avoid referring to past weaknesses “zingers”

Watch for excessive enthusiasm

Don’t wear it out

Describe specific behavior

Steps in Effective Praise

1) Praise

Brief words of praise that take you immediately into step two

Examples: “Good Job!”

“That is Great!”

Steps in Effective Praise

2) Description of Appropriate Behavior a) label skill

b) describe specific behaviors

Examples: “You just Followed Instructionsby looking at me and saying ok.”

“You just Followed Instructionsby completing the task.”

Steps in Effective Praise3) Rationale Youth oriented Shows the cause/effect relationship of the behavior or a possible outcome

Shows the youth how the skill can help thema) label skill b) brief (one sentence)

Example: “Following Instructions helps you get things done faster, giving you more time to do what you want.”

Steps in Effective Praise

4) Acknowledgement Does the youth understand the rationale

Get a verbal response

Examples: “Does that make sense?”

“Do you understand?”

Steps in Effective Praise

5) Positive Consequence The youth is reinforced for the appropriate behavior (positive reinforcer)a) label skill b) label specific behavior

Example: “For Following Instructions and saying okay you have EARNED 1,000 points.”

Use youth’s name

Pleasant facial expressions

Calm voice tone

Proximity

Same physical plane

Physical touch

Eye contact

Quality Components

Making Consequences Effective

ContingencyReinforcement should follow a desired behavior

ImmediacyDon’t wait; follow behavior with reinforcement ASAP

SpecificityDescribe specific behavior and specific skill

Behavior is best learned under pleasurable circumstances

RESOURCES

When Praising…………………..

Appropriate to child’s age and abilityAvoid hinting at past weaknessesWatch for excessive enthusiasmDon’t wear it outDescribe specific behavior

50 ways to say “Very Good”

You’re on the right track

You’re doing a good job

You did a lot of work today

Now you figured it out

Keep up the good work

Now you have the hang of it

That’s the wayYou’re really going to town

You’re doing fine

Now you have it

I’ve never seen anyone did it

better

That’s coming along nicely

You’re really improving

You did it that time

That's better than ever

That’s not half bad

You’ve got that down pat

Nothing can stop you now

You outdid yourself today

You're something

You are leaning fast

That’s quite an improvement

That’s a good (boy-girl)

That’s the best you have ever

done

I couldn't have done it better

myself

Good going Keep it up That’s nice Wow That’s right

Much better Way to go Nice going Superb Not bad

Super That’s it Outstanding Perfect That’s great

Look at you Right on Terrific Sensational Good for you

Good work That’s better Excellent Fine Good job

Effective Praise

Pre-Service Workshop