IN PRAISE OF PRAISE

Usually when a child behaves remarkably well, busy playing with himself, without uttering a word or disturbing anybody, not a word is said to him but as he starts a little bit of mischief, maybe to gain attention, parents give in their heavy artillery. The child's good behaviour was gone unnoticed, so to gain attention he resorted successfully to bad behaviour.

Praise is vital to us all. It works much better than criticism or punishment. To work, punishment has to be massive. But a hug or a word of praise can be very powerful- life with them can be a bed of roses, very thorny indeed.



Along with praise all of us needs prestige and responsibility. In fact, we all need to believe that we are special, unique, worth something. Giving someone the opportunity to taste prestige is a way to eliminate the negative in his or her behaviour and accentuate the positive.

Praise is a basic human need.Its important as brushing your teeth everyday. without it none of us gives our best. With it we give off our best, willingly.

"You look fabulous", "You are terrific",..... think of the effect these words have on you.

Think of the effect a few words of praise, an arm around the shoulder, a hug have on others... we all need words of affirmation and encouragement, that compliment, the appreciation of doing something well or of just being who we are. Don't overdo praise but do praise.

It's no use thinking it, we must say the words.