Praise can be a powerful motivator to change student behavior, but it needs to be administered strategically and be well thought out. Here are some important guidelines.
It is important that the praise include two steps: the student’s behavior and your praise. First of all, include a description of the specific behavior you wish to encourage in your student. This instructs the student precisely in what he/she has done correctly, motivating him/her to repeat it. Secondly, praise the student for the good behavior. For instance, a general, “Great job!” is not as effective as, “You sat and worked really hard to do all those math problems. Great job!”
It is important when choosing your words to take into account the specific student you are addressing. Differentiate your praise. Make sure the praise you give a child is appropriate for that child. One student may not have gotten the highest grade; however, he persevered and stretched beyond his comfort zone. Praise him for his efforts and courage.
Be selective with your praise. Be careful to include appropriate words of approval commensurate to the behavior you wish to praise. Too much praise for too little output from students can render the praise meaningless and lower the child’s own expectations.
You can use praise strategically to modify student behavior. Make a list of behaviors you wish to encourage and/or change for specific students or even the class as a whole. “Catch them in the act” so to speak -- the act of doing the targeted behavior, and give immediate specific praise. Always remain on the lookout for behavior you wish to enforce. Do not lose an opportunity to point out and praise the positive behavior.
Finally, make sure that you are sincere in giving the praise. Students are very intuitive and sensitive. They will see right through insincere praise, and you as their teacher will lose your credibility.