Children thrive on encouragement. As parents, carers and educators, the words we use can have a lasting impact on how children see themselves and the world around them.
Praising a child isn't simply about making them feel good in the moment. Meaningful praise can help build confidence, strengthen self-esteem, encourage positive behaviour and teach children the value of effort and perseverance.
Whether you're raising toddlers, school-aged children or teenagers, finding the right words can help your child feel seen, valued and supported.
Today I'm sharing 50 ways to praise a child, along with tips on how to use praise effectively to encourage growth, resilience and a positive mindset.
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Why Positive Praise Helps Children Thrive
Positive praise is about much more than making a child feel happy in the moment. The words we use can help shape how children see themselves, their abilities and the world around them.
When children receive genuine encouragement, they learn that effort, kindness and perseverance matter. Praise can help build confidence, strengthen self-esteem and encourage children to keep trying when things become challenging. It also helps children feel valued, supported and recognised for their achievements, both big and small.
The most effective praise focuses on effort and progress rather than perfection. By recognising positive behaviours and celebrating growth, we can help children develop resilience and a healthy mindset that supports them throughout life.
Benefits of Praising a Child
Praise can have many positive benefits for children. It can help them feel valued, boost their confidence and encourage positive behaviours.
Children who receive meaningful praise often develop stronger self-esteem and a greater willingness to take on new challenges. They learn that effort matters and that mistakes are part of learning.
Positive reinforcement can also strengthen the bond between parent and child. When children feel recognised and appreciated, they are more likely to feel secure, supported and motivated.
Encouragement like this lays the foundation for confident learners, and as children grow, that same supportive approach helps them stay motivated through school and beyond, including with a little extra study support when they need it.
The key is to use praise thoughtfully and sincerely. Children can often tell the difference between genuine encouragement and praise that feels forced or automatic.
Check out this article on 25 Things To Say Instead Of Good Job
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How to Praise a Child Effectively
Not all praise has the same impact.
Instead of relying on general phrases like "good job," try to be specific about what you noticed.
For example, rather than saying:
"Good job cleaning your room."
You might say:
"I noticed how carefully you organised your toys and books. You worked really hard."
Specific praise helps children understand exactly what they did well. It reinforces positive behaviours and encourages them to repeat those actions in the future.
It's also helpful to praise effort rather than only results. When children learn that hard work and perseverance are valued, they're more likely to develop resilience and a growth mindset.
50 Ways to Praise a Child
Here are 50 positive phrases you can use to encourage and support your child.
- I'm so proud of you.
- You worked really hard on that.
- Great effort.
- You should be proud of yourself.
- I love how you kept trying.
- You never gave up.
- That was very thoughtful of you.
- You showed great kindness today.
- What a creative idea.
- You handled that really well.
- You are learning so much.
- I noticed how patient you were.
- That was very responsible.
- You did your best.
- I love your positive attitude.
- You showed real courage.
- That's a fantastic improvement.
- You solved that problem brilliantly.
- You should feel proud of that achievement.
- I knew you could do it.
- You are becoming so independent.
- Thank you for helping.
- You were very considerate.
- That took a lot of determination.
- I love how carefully you did that.
- You were a great friend today.
- You showed excellent teamwork.
- You listened really well.
- You made a thoughtful choice.
- That was a very kind thing to do.
- I appreciate your help.
- You have worked so hard.
- You showed great self-control.
- What an amazing effort.
- You are growing in confidence.
- I can see how much you've improved.
- You did that all by yourself.
- That was a brave decision.
- You have a wonderful imagination.
- You kept a positive attitude.
- You should be pleased with yourself.
- I love how you kept practising.
- You are becoming a great problem solver.
- You showed real leadership.
- You handled that challenge brilliantly.
- Your hard work is paying off.
- That was a very mature choice.
- You showed great perseverance.
- You are making excellent progress.
- You make me proud every day.
Praise Effort, Not Just Results
One of the most powerful ways to encourage children is to praise effort rather than focusing solely on outcomes.
For example, if your child receives a good grade, instead of only celebrating the result, you might say:
"I could see how much time you spent studying for that test."
This helps children connect success with effort and persistence. It teaches them that growth comes through practice and learning.
Children who learn this lesson early often become more resilient when faced with setbacks because they understand that challenges are part of the learning process.
Encouraging Confidence Through Everyday Moments
Praise doesn't have to be reserved for major achievements.
Some of the most meaningful encouragement happens during everyday moments. You can praise your child for helping around the house, showing kindness to a sibling, completing homework, trying something new or simply making a responsible choice.
Small moments of recognition add up over time and help children build a positive view of themselves.
Remember, children don't need constant praise. They need genuine, meaningful encouragement that helps them understand their strengths and recognise their progress.
FAQ'S
The best praise focuses on effort, kindness, perseverance and personal growth. Examples include "I'm proud of how hard you worked," "You showed great kindness today," and "I love how you kept trying."
Try describing what you noticed instead. For example, "You worked really hard on that project" or "I can see how much you've improved." Specific praise is often more meaningful and effective.
Yes. Meaningful praise can help children develop confidence and self-esteem by reinforcing positive behaviours, recognising effort and helping them feel valued and supported.
Praise recognises something a child has done well, while encouragement focuses on supporting continued effort and growth. Both are important and can work together to build confidence and resilience.
Helping Children Thrive Through Positive Praise
Finding ways to praise a child doesn't have to be complicated.
Simple, sincere words of encouragement can make a big difference in helping children feel confident, valued and capable.
By focusing on effort, kindness, perseverance and growth, we can help children develop resilience and self-belief that will serve them throughout their lives.
Every child responds differently to encouragement, but all children benefit from feeling valued and recognised. Meaningful praise helps children develop confidence, resilience and a positive sense of self-worth. By focusing on effort, kindness, perseverance and growth, parents and caregivers can encourage children to keep learning and trying new things. The words we use matter, and a simple phrase of encouragement can have a lasting impact on how a child sees themselves and their abilities.
Angela x
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Bookmarked! A very useful list. I might also read them to myself. Positive self-reinforcement and all that 😉
great idea!
Great post, I love this, praising my children is so important and I just wish some of their teachers did too.
Thanks. It is really important and yes, its something teachers can do too!
oh I love this and I know how very important it is to praise you child they thrive for sure
Thanks. It is an important thing and something I felt I needed to share here on the blog.
I say good job and well done too much, although I do try and back those up with why he's done something well, or why I'm pleased with him. I think a lot of the time, it just washes over N!
This sounds like a really great idea. When I share why I'm pleased with my child, she always lights up and feels pleased with herself !
These are awesome Angela! I've used most of these with my boys and every day I'm telling them how proud I am of them and how great they're doing in school. Popping over from #bloggerclubuk Facebook group
Thanks Michelle. I'm glad you like these suggestions. 🙂
LOVE this post! Praise is always so much better than negative comments. Pickles face when I praise him is just adorable. Kaz x
It's the same with Sylvia. When we focus on the good, the not so good reduces too!
I love this! I always try and keep things positive with my little one! there is enough negativity in the world.. sometimes it can be a bit monotonous to keep praising little things but then I remember they aren't necessarily little to him - thanks for sharing !
Oh I'm glad you like this. I agree positivity is the way to go!
I think this is fantastic and will bookmark it as I look after kids myself thanks x
Oh this can be useful for anyone intereacting with kids! Glad you like it Ana and hope it comes in handy.
We are having issues with one of ours at the moment so are working really hard on positive reinforrcement
It can be tricky but these ideas should hopefully help. 🙂
This list is great! Will practice on using with my husband before little one arrives - LOL!
Ha Ha! I shall try this on my hubby too! Great idea!
I think I could use some of these for the mister ha x
great idea!
Aww it's amazing the effect a bit of praise can have on a child, always puts huge smiles on there faces xx
it sure is and something I think is very important. it can change the whole atmosphere in the home being positive!
Great! Praise is so important!
It sure is especially when used appropriately and at the right times.
I love this - I think it's so important to praise children and to give them positive encouragement when they do something well, so I'm trying really hard to make sure I do this with my little boy.
Thanks. They are god ideas and these phrases work and help build up a child rather than pull them down.
What a lovely post. You are so right, positive reinforcement is so important for children. I try to tell my children how brilliant they are as much as I can, and tell them I love them as often as possible.x
oh thanks. It's a great thing to do and really can help!
I love this post! A good reminder to not be too focused on the behaviors to correct that we leave out the ones to praise.
Thanks. I'm gad you like this and that its useful It is important to focus on good positive behaviour. That worked when I was a school/Kindergarten aged teacher!
A brilliant post. There appears to be a movement towards no praise and instead say things like ‘how do you feel you did and can you improve on that’ I can’t think of anything more stressful than to give a child the responsibility of deciding whether they’ve done well and worse to make them feel what they’ve achieved has not impressed the parent or teacher in any way whatsoever. It’s all about balance and making sure children know when they’ve done well and advising them when they could make more effort so their full potential is achieved. Oh! & as far as suppressing their natural desire to compeat in sports etc from a young age, well that’s another rant for another day.