Expert Explains the Power of Labels in Early Childhood Education 🎓 | CTV Morning Live
Understanding How Labels and Praise Shape Young Minds
In this insightful segment, educational psychologist Tania Johnson, ICP Co-Founder breaks down how the ways we praise our children—through labels vs. effort—can influence their mindset, motivation, and behavior from an early age. Here’s a deep dive into the takeaways:
1. What’s the Big Deal with Labels?
Labels like “You’re so smart” or “You’re a natural artist” carry more weight than we realize. Tania explains that while they feel complimentary, they can subtly push children towards wanting to maintain that image rather than embracing new challenges.
Why it matters: Children praised for innate traits may shy away from tasks that could risk “damaging” that label.
2. The Magic of “Process Praise”
Phrases like “You worked really hard!” or “I love how you practiced that” highlight children’s effort and dedication. According to Tania Johnson, this kind of praise fosters growth mindsets, where kids learn resilience and view mistakes as learning opportunities.
In practice: Praise effort (“You really stuck with that puzzle!”), strategy (“I noticed you tried a new way to solve it”), or persistence (“You finished even when it got tricky”).
3. Dos and Don’ts for Parents & Educators
Here’s how to reframe your language for positive impact:
| 👍 Do This | 🚫 Avoid This |
|---|---|
| “I saw how focused you were”—process-oriented | “You’re so smart”—ability-centered |
| “Your hard work paid off”—effort praise | “You’re a genius”—fixed praise |
| “Great strategy!”—reinforce problem-solving | “Wow, perfect”—instant success focus |
4. Why It Works: The Brain Behind It
Tania highlights studies showing that children praised for effort develop deeper problem-solving skills, take on challenges willingly, and bounce back more quickly after failure. By praising the process, parents teach kids that they can learn and grow—regardless of how naturally gifted they are.
5. Bringing It Home
Be aware: Catch yourself using labels and aim for process praise instead.
Get specific: Replace generic praise with detailed feedback.
Teach the why: Help kids understand that skills develop through effort—and that’s what counts!
Final Thoughts
Tania Johnson, R.Psych makes a compelling case: praising effort over inherent ability gives children the confidence to face challenges and the resilience to thrive. Simple changes in your language can reshape how a child approaches learning—and ultimately, life.
Curious to see more expert insights? Follow the Institute of Child Psychology on Youtube, Facebook & Instagram or visit Tania’s website at instituteofchidpsychology.com.
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Share your own tips in the comments: How do you praise your child’s process? Let us know!
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