Encouragement vs Praise for Teachers

So, what is the difference between encouragement and praise? Praise teaches dependency on external feedback (I’m “okay” if you like what I do, and I feel badly if you don’t like what I do), while encouragement teaches internal validation, (I use self-evaluation to determine how I feel about what I do). When you praise students you put the spotlight on the student and when you walk away you take the spotlight with you. When you encourage students, your words go much deeper and hopefully stir up internal motivation that is long lasting.

The challenge is that many students like praise—especially if they have not experienced the differences. Recently in an Early Childhood and Development course for high school seniors, the concept of encouragement vs. praise was introduced, and the students immediately piped in with how much they loved praise from their parents and teachers. Who wouldn’t? It feels good to be validated by others. But like too much candy, too much praise can be unhealthy by creating dependence on others and lack of faith in one’s self.