25 Words of Encouragement for Kids

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Do We Always Use Words of Encouragement for Kids?

No. No we don’t always use words of encouragement for kids. I am sure you have days where your kids cooperate and seem to be on their best behavior. You are constantly encouraging them and feeling pretty good about this parenting thing.

Then occasionally, there are days when we notice that the only words that come out of our mouths are more like short and blunt demands: “Put your dishes in the dishwasher”, “Pick up your clothes off the floor.” “Stop picking your nose.”  As an educator, I have learned that in order to develop appropriate behavior in kids, we must focus on the things they are doing right, and not on what they are doing wrong. 

Short statements like “Good job” do little to improve behavior or make kids feel like they are important or that they matter.  Instead of focusing on outward praise by using phrases like “you are super smart” or “You are the cutest” use phrases that are encouraging and highlight their inner qualities.  This will promote appropriate behavior in the future as well as help the child feel important and significant.

There is a big difference between Praise and encouragement.

Words of encouragement for kids that work the best focus on the deed and not the doer of the deed.  These kinds of words and phrases will help encourage positive behavior in the future, as well as teach kids to value self-improvement, and hard work.  If you do need to make a request of your kids, begin with “Please” and end with “Thank You”.

Try these 25 Phrases and Words of Encouragement for kids:

1.    Thank you so much for helping me un-load the dishwasher.

2.    You should be so proud of yourself for doing so well on that test!

3.    Look at how much you have improved this semester.

4.    You worked really hard for that “A”.

5.    Look at how hard you worked on getting your room clean!

6.    Thank you for helping me make dinner today, I really appreciate it.

7.    Wow! I noticed how patient you were today with your sister.  Thank you!

8.    How do you think we can get this house ready for visitors next week?

9.    You seem to really enjoy dance.

10.  Your hard work really paid off. Look at how well you did on that assignment.

11.  That’s going to be tough, but you got this!

12.   I trust that you will make the right decision.

13.    I love hanging out with you. I always have so much fun!

14.   Your kindness towards that girl makes my hear want to burst.

15.   Your project is coming along so well.

16.   You really worked through that challenge well.  

17.    I really appreciate your willingness to help out.

18.   I can tell you worked really hard to make that decision.

19.   I see that you cleaned the bathroom very thoroughly.

20.    You are getting the hang of it.

21.    I know I can count on you to help out.

22.    I appreciate you being such a team player.

23.    Wow! You make that look so easy!

24.    I don’t know what I would have done without your help.

25.   You got some mad skills on that bike. 

When we sat things like “you are the cutest” your kids will believe you only say that because you are their parent and parents are supposed to think their kids are the cutest. If you say things like “You are super smart!” what will happen the next time when they do something that isn’t so smart? 

When you use encouraging words and phrases, not only will your kids beam with joy, but they will recognize that you notice their “mad skills” and “hard work”.   So try a few of these words of encouragement for kids and soon their behavior, decision making, and cooperation will improve.

Related:

Teaching Kids about Compassion and Empathy

7 Ways To Teach Listening Skills to Your Kids