Praise your child for the effort, not on the outcome. It's no surprise that studies link self-esteem with happiness, so encourage their self-worth by focusing on positive praise and not on perfection. If you only compliment them on the outcomes and successes, they will not only be afraid to fail, but will also be less likely to take on, let alone enjoy, new challenges. If you only practice achievement-based praise, your child might start to think they always have to be the best or win for your approval. "Praise the effort rather than the result," said Bob Murray, PhD, author of Raising an Optimistic Child: A Proven Plan For Depression-Proofing Young Children — For Life."Praise the creativity, the hard work, the persistence that goes into achieving, more than the achievement itself."
