The Power of Positive Praise

Sep 1

By Jessica Jordan, MS. OTR/L

Why Positive Praise Matters

Brain studies indicate that we respond to social approval in much the same way that we respond to monetary rewards (Bhangi & Delgado, 2015). Praise feels good inside our bodies. It boosts confidence, enhances our sense of self, encourages personal effort, and helps us feel like we belong.

Some clients smile in response to praise, while others may shy away from it—but regardless of the reaction, modeling positive praise shows our children how to speak kindly to themselves. That’s a powerful lifelong skill.

Research also shows that thoughtful praise can increase motivation and provide meaningful inspiration—especially when it's specific, safe, and affirming.

Tips for Offering Meaningful Praise

Be Specific About What You Notice

Instead of general praise like “good job,” highlight exactly what your child did well. This builds clarity, self-awareness, and confidence.

Examples:

“You really rocked at soccer today.”
“I can tell you took your time to clean up every piece—thank you!”
“I saw how you stuck with it even when it felt tricky.”

Praise in the Moment—Or Reflect Later

In-the-moment praise helps recognize effort immediately, but don’t underestimate the power of reflecting later, too. When you revisit a moment of progress later in the day or week, it gives your child a second chance to feel proud.

Try something like:

“I’ve been thinking about how you handled that challenge yesterday. That was amazing.”
“Remember how you stayed calm when things got loud today? That really stood out.”

Consider Timing, Setting, and State

Praise isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some children prefer private encouragement rather than being praised in front of peers. Others may need regulation support before they’re ready to hear kind words.

Tune in to your child’s cues and adjust accordingly. Context matters just as much as content.

Alternatives to Saying “Good Job”

Here are some of our favorite affirmations to help children feel seen, supported, and capable—without defaulting to “good job”:

You can do hard things.
You really stuck with it.
How do you feel?
You listened to your body!
You really focused.
Wow, I see how attentive to detail you were when you drew ____.
I can tell you took your time.
Look at how far you’ve come.
You did it.
I can see your brain working hard to connect with your body—keep going!
Good for you!
You’re a hard worker.
You have a great heart.
Way to go!
Way to override your body’s impulses.
I can tell that was frustrating at first, but you didn’t give up, and you did it.
I am so proud of you.

We’d Love to Hear from You!

What are some of your favorite ways to offer praise to your child or clients? Drop your go-to phrases below—we’d love to learn from you!

Together, we can build more connection, confidence, and joy in the way we support our children.

Helpful Links

If you found this post helpful, you’ll love our therapy resources! Whether you’re a parent or therapist, our apraxia and autism courses are here to offer practical tools, compassionate guidance, and real-world strategies you can use every day.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Parents & Caregivers: Autism Training | Online Course for Parents and Caregivers

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