Online Reporter
BEING excessively praised can have unintended consequences on learners. While positive feedback is essential for growth and development, excessive praise can lead to negative outcomes, such as diminished self-worth, increased sensitivity to failure and a reluctance to take risks.
The risks of over-praising
Diminished self-esteem: Constant praise can lead students to believe their value is tied to external validation rather than their own intrinsic qualities. This can make them feel inadequate when they receive less praise or face challenges.
Fear of failure: Over-praise can make individuals overly sensitive to criticism and fear failure, potentially hindering their willingness to take risks and learn from mistakes.
Manipulation: Excessive praise can sometimes be a form of manipulation, where individuals use compliments to gain influence or control over others.
Insincere praise: Over-praising can feel insincere, especially if the praise seems out of proportion to the achievement.
Dependence on external validation: Excessive praise can make individuals overly reliant on external validation for their self-worth, potentially leading to a need for constant reassurance and affirmation.
Instead of solely focusing on praise, it’s beneficial to cultivate a balanced approach that encourages self-improvement and genuine appreciation for accomplishments. This can be achieved by:
Focusing on effort: Praising students for their effort and persistence, rather than just their natural ability or talent.
Providing constructive feedback: Offering feedback that is specific, timely and actionable, helping students to learn from their mistakes and improve their performance.
Encouraging self-reflection: Encouraging students to reflect on their own learning and set goals for themselves, promoting self-awareness and self-improvement.
Celebrating progress: Celebrating students’ progress and achievements, rather than just their final results, to foster a growth mindset and promote continuous learning.
By adopting a balanced approach, educators can help learners develop a healthy sense of self-worth, build resilience and cultivate a growth mindset that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Dr Manners Msongelwa is an author, teacher and youth coach. He can be contacted on +263 771 019 392.
