While parenting Montessori children, here’s a new twist to praise and building “self-esteem”.  Count how many times a day you say “Good Job!” to your children… then read this:

How Can We Help Our Children Avoid the “Self-Esteem Trap?” written by Mary Caroline Parker at the Barbara Gordon Montessori School

Better things to say:

1. nothing
2. a non-judgmental statement of the facts  ex. You cut up the fruit for our lunch.
3. praise the process, not the person  ex. It looks like you worked really hard on that.
4. comment on how the child’s actions have affected others  ex. I bet your brother appreciated that.
5. ask an open ended question  ex. Tell me, why did you chose those colors?

Self-esteem and self-confidence come from SELF, not from Mom and Dad!

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