How often do you give your child feedback? Can you remember your parents giving you feedback, and if so, how has it helped?
Parents who give feedback increase their child's confidence
Whether it's making their bed or presenting you with a beautifully drawn masterpiece, you can be guaranteed that giving feedback will help to increase their confidence and skill.
Parents who see the importance of giving feedback will:
1. Be consistent in giving it
The idea of giving children feedback is one thing, but making a habit of it is another. Doing it regularly is of most importance, as this results in feedback becoming valued and considered as the norm.
2. Know it is a hidden gem
Feedback, given well, is a gift to a child. It acts as a confidence builder and a road map for progress in the development of a particular skill. Giving feedback to children also brings joy to the parent who has the privilege of observing the results.
3. Encourage reflective learning
One aim of effective feedback is to help a child develop an ability to self-assess. By asking them about process and posing specific questions like, 'What do you think is good about it?' and 'What might you do differently next time?', as parents we trigger reflective learning in children.
4. Make it goal focused
By looking forward we encourage children to have a progressive approach to their development and help them to acknowledge gaps between where they are, where they'd like to get to, and what they need to do to get there.
5. Provide ongoing support
Having given feedback, the next step is for parents to put things in place to help encourage and support children to continue in their skill. This could be anything from paying for piano lessons to making time to supervise a child making a colourful montages.
As parents we want to raise children both confident and affirmed in their gifts, skills and abilities. In giving feedback we put in place another stepping stone for them to stand on in their journey towards being responsible adults.
Your thoughts and comments
What other tips would you suggest to parents for giving feedback to children?
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Photo: Lachlan Hardy