Hypersensitivity...

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by tracilicious

Except that the entire grading system is ridiculous and not really an indication of what's been learned anyways. (But yeah, money for grades sort of undermines a natural desire to learn, I think. So do grades.)

Moonliner, that is exactly my point. The mentallity is that either kids are praised for nothing or they are praised only for specific things. What if we take praise out of the equation? What if we simply guide kids and allow their natural desire to learn and succeed take over, helping them when they need us (and no I don't consider praise and criticism help), backing off when they don't? What if we replace, "Good job studying for that test!" with, "What did you find most challenging? Are you happy with your results?" Our judgements need not enter into the conversation.

Except that young kids (pre-teen and younger) crave the praise. Withholding that in favor of responses like "What did you find most challenging" equates in their mind to rejection. I still argue praise for effort. At age two a scribbled crayon mess is cause for praise, age four not so much.