EP 69 | Is Saying “Good Job” Really That Bad? When Praise Helps (and When It Doesn't)

When did praising children become so dang controversial?!

There’s a lot of noise around praise, from warnings about “good job” destroying intrinsic motivation to advice that we should avoid praise altogether. In this episode, I’m unpacking what the research actually tells us about praise, when it can be genuinely useful, and how we can use it as meaningful feedback without turning it into approval children need to chase.

You’ll hear: ✨ Why the research doesn’t support a blanket “praise is bad” approach — and where some of the concerns around praise do have merit ✨ The difference between less effective praise like person, outcome and generic praise, and praise that draws attention to effort, process and progress ✨ Why sincerity, specificity and how praise is received by the child matter just as much as the words we choose ✨ How behaviour-specific praise can make behavioural learning visible, helping children notice the baby steps they’re making without turning praise into a tool for compliance

**Very (very) mild coarse language in this episode.

Praise doesn’t need to go in the bin, and neither does “good job.” When we use praise thoughtfully, it can give children useful information about their effort, choices and growing skills. Good job isn’t the problem; it just shouldn’t have to do all the heavy lifting.

Doors to The Behaviour Reset are OPEN! If you want to be able to understand the behaviour you're seeing, decide how to respond, and adapt your approach when things don't go to plan - without constantly questioning whether you're doing behaviour "right" - click here to join us! Doors close on October 22.