Learning Feedback Early
Mar 15, 2021“Acknowledge all of your small victories. They will eventually add up to something great.” Kara Goucher
Children are their own cheerleaders too!
Although children love to know they have pleased us, an important thing to remember is that we can encourage them from the start to have the confidence to evaluate, give feedback, and praise themselves.
Self-assessment and acknowledgement are vital because they are central to independent learning, which we want for all children. To trust themselves and their abilities takes genuine self-esteem.
People can find it uncomfortable to self-assess and praise because they don’t like the responsibility it puts upon them. They feel vulnerable in knowing they could have done better. The more a child is given the practice of self-evaluation and acknowledgement, the more resilient they become in taking feedback, giving respectful feedback and learning from it.
For Parents
Actively avoid doing all the feedback for your child. Your child will become addicted to your opinion and need for praise rather than trusting themselves. You can do this by deflecting feedback when they show you something they are proud of. “I see how excited you are about your blocks/project/painting; you worked hard on it; I think it looks amazing and your creativity shines through; how do you feel about it?” Of course, it’s wonderful to match their enthusiasm and excitement, but it’s also great to seize the teachable moment to nurture self-assessment and self-acknowledgement. So they see the strengths and abilities within themselves or just as important the things they need to work on.
For Educators
Ask the children to feedback on their work, and then do peer feedback for each other. The children will learn to be honest with themselves and others and learn effective communication skills to do this with lots of practice. “Before we continue with our work let’s stop for self-feedback, and write down 5 things you notice about your work. Things that you are happy with and things that you need to improve.”
Kerry Spina
Kids in Harmony
Wellbeing Educator | Behaviour Support Coach
