Some people say that a parent's praise is like sunshine on a flower . . . it helps a child grow and open up. But the kind of praise you give your child can affect her motivation.

The best praise is very specific. Believe it or not, telling a child, "You're wonderful," doesn't always make her feel good about herself.

Instead, try talking about things your child does especially well. Here are some examples:

ù "You really stuck with that math homework."

ù "You cleaned your room without my asking."

ù "You organized your paper very well."

ù "I like the bright colors you used in this painting."

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