in praise of praise

 8/9/13

Henry has had a week of praise from Coach Dave.  Dave says, reportedly, that Henry is developing a "golden boot" for corner kicks.  He says that his development over the past six months has been amazing.  I've noticed myself a new power and "authority" even to his warm-up passes to me.  He strikes the ball sharply and accurately.  He is always sweaty and flushed after practices, showing that he's giving it his all.

Henry reports on the praise at home.  While I wouldn't call it boastful, he's certainly proud.  It seems that he likes to to rehearse the story that he's a good, hard working soccer player.  He says it to me in the car, and then, using the same words, says it to Karrie when we get home.  

And what is the effect of the praise?  Does it encourage him to work harder in practice?  Does it make him more aggressive, more confident?  And does that bleed over to other parts of his life?  (I don't know the answer to that, but I assume it does.)

Kathryn C., in her reflections about class, wrote about parent teacher conferences when I praised her abilities in synthesis, which she had been feeling bad about.  This was the highlight of the year for her -- when her mom came home and told her she was successful.

What were the effects of that on her future work?  On her attitude in class?  On her conversations about the class to her peers?  I can say that her writing ability, like Henry's soccer, got noticeably better in a variety of ways.