| How to give your child recognition |
How are you reinforcing your child’s personality through recognition? When our kids are only toddlers and they take their first steps, say their first words, or share their first toy, we immediately reward their efforts with a “great job!” or a “we love you!” It’s easy to realize how crucial your feedback is for the development of their self-esteem. However, as children grow up, it is easy to forget the importance of recognition and positive affirmation on them. How can you keep throwing recognition on your child when she is no longer a toddler?1. Remember that each year represents a period of cognitive evolution in the child’s life. When she’s seven she won’t need the same kind of feedback that you gave her when she was 3, but nonetheless it is important to congratulate her for her efforts. For example, if your child is unwilling to share her toys, and after your calm explanation of why she should share, she changes her mind, recognize her disposition and good attitude. Words like, “That’s my girl” or “You make me proud” will no doubt have an effect on her behavior. 2. Check your child’s grades regularly. Ask questions about his teachers and congratulate him if you notice improvement in, say, math. 3. Keep track of how much she practices the instrument she’s learning to play. If at the end of the week you find she’s practiced every day, then congratulate her and take her for some ice cream. A great, unexpected surprise! This will reinfrce her self-discipline and her self-esteem for a long time. 4. If you notice that he has made an effort not to fight with his siblings, and if in some cases he has even yielded on a discussion to keep the peace, hug him and whisper in his ear, “I love you; you make me feel like the best mom in the world.” I invite you to add your own strategies to this list. 
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