In the last few years, I’ve spent some time reflecting on how best to encourage and motivate my students to continue learning on their own. I started thinking about how I give praise and offer words of encouragement.

"Is there a way to do this that promotes learning?” I wondered to myself. "How can we use our words to foster the development of intrinsic motivation and a positive self-image in those we teach?"

Praise is a powerful tool and one that we as educators can use to equip and empower those we teach. We can use praise to inspire creativity, cultivate the pursuit of excellence, and celebrate milestones. And we can use it to motivate learners to keep moving forward and keep exploring.

Learning is a lifelong process, after all.

I did a little research on this topic and today, I want to share a few simple ways we can offer praise with intention — those meaningful words that inspire, encourage, and motivate others — and 12 practical phrases you can use in your teaching and tailor to your students.

For show notes, click here.

Related resources:

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through some of these links.

"Praise and the Instructional Process” in The Journal of Classroom Instruction by Edmund T. Emmer

“Elementary Students’ Preference for Teacher Praise” in The Journal of Classroom Instruction by Paul C. Burnett

“Student Interpretations of Teacher Verbal Praise in Selected Seventh- and Eighth-Grade Choral Classes” in Journal of Research in Music Education by Ouida Taylor

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

“Stop Saying, ‘You’re So Smart!’ 3 Better Ways to Praise Kids” in HuffPost by Renee Jain