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27/10/2013

The Dangers of Over-praising your Child



It is good for parents to praise their children but it can be unhealthy when parents make it a point of duty to copiously praise every of their children’s effort regardless of how well or good that effort or ability is. Some parents are guilty of over praising their child, even when not needed. This has both short and long term effects on the children. There is no harm in praising your children as often as one can. There are several advantages in doing that which includes:
  1. Boosting self esteem.
  2. Improving character formation.
  3. Encouraging them to do better.
  4. Motivating children to learn.
  5. Stretches persistence and boosts resilience.

However, too much praise on the other hand has negative effects as several research has shown. A lot of new research has shown that too much praise decreases children’s self esteem, motivation, effort, and achievement among others. The following are some of the research findings:


Lowers grades: Research findings by the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology showed that the wrong kind of praise can backfire by causing lower grades.
  

Reduces children’s effort: The Colombia University and Stanford University research showed it reduces children’s effort because getting praised for so little effort could make them unwilling to go the extra mile. 


Triggers shame and lowers self-worth:  The University of Netherlands says it triggers shame and lowers self-worth. Praising kids-especially those who display lower self-esteem - for their personal qualities such as saying, “You’re such a great person!”... rather than their efforts may make kids feel more ashamed if they fail at a task which in turn reduces their self-esteem..

Excessive or unwarranted praise does not typically boost confidence for children. Children are denied opportunities to learn real knowledge, skills and humility. Children miss out on the power of authentic praise to encourage and inform their efforts. Children can develop an inflated sense of competency and importance regarding their personal contributions. Children are less likely to develop an honest assessment of their own work. 

The demerits of 'over-praising' your child could actually do less for your child. Be sure to focus on their effort, not on their personal traits or successes. This would help them develop ideals that are found in well adjusted children. They are:

● A dependable character
Skill competency
● Adequate capacity

20/10/2013

Youngest Microsoft Certified Nigerian - Jomiloju


THE DISCOURSE in conjunction with The Learning Craft this week celebrates 9 year old Jomiloju Tunde Oladipo who few weeks ago became the youngest pupil to obtain a Microsoft certified professional,and is now a Microsoft office specialist in word 2010.

He will be in the studio live at Classic FM, Lagos Nigeria on the 20th of October, 2013 with his parents with Curriculum Specialist Rhoda Odigboh {me} in attendance as well. I will be asking him interesting questions every listener would want to hear.

This a Classic FM/Discourse initiative to promote the young towards building a better Nigeria.We invite all parents to encourage their kids to please tune in alongside to participate in this edition of The Discourse with Jimi Disu. It promises to be insightful, informative and 'edu-taining'!

07/10/2013

God Made Teachers!


Another year has come again for teachers around the world to be recognized and celebrated. As an educator myself, I have had the privilege of working with so many wonderful teachers. Teachers who would skip a much needed cup of tea/coffee to recuperate before getting back to their classes; but stop to attend to the 'endless speaking' child. Teachers, who no matter the circumstances are always sensitive to the needs of every child they encounter. I dare to say that Teachers are the greatest of people with the greatest of minds!


The slogan for this year's celebration is 'A Call For Teachers'.

This year, UNESCO's work on quality teachers for global citizenship and cultural diversity is celebrated. 
According to UNESCO, teachers develop learners' abilities to build a sustainable future with citizens who are able to take action in their own communities and contribute to global challenges.


If there is a list of countries in dire need of teachers, Nigeria would be at the top of that list. Our number of out-of-school children is very high making the teacher-student ratio absolutely incommensurate and difficult.  There are many calls to get Nigeria's education system back in order, but the hard truth remains that we will not be successful at this quest without taking strong measures to hire, train and retrain a whole lot more of teachers to man the present and future classrooms.  How can this be done?

  • building a strong regulatory framework within the education sector upon which measures will be taken to ensure that policies have no loopholes,  and are followed through and through. The framework must be able to detect any incompetent activity within the sector. 
  • establishing lasting institutions within the regulatory framework
  • building many more teacher colleges
  • revamping the teaching profession ( by making it relatively lucrative)

Nigerian children need a new breed of perceptive, informative and resourceful teachers. Teachers who will safeguard Nigeria's future by equipping our populace with basic numeracy/literacy skills and global citizenship skills as they infuse our wide cultural diversity. Students in turn become self-reliant, and better equipped to take action for themselves and their communities. 

Teachers' Day appreciates teaching and the people who have opted for this profession. 

To all teachers in the world.......HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY!!!!!

God Made Teachers 

God understood our thirst for 
Knowledge, 
And Our Need To Be Led
5th from the left.....with some great teachers I know
By someone wiser;
He needed a heart of compassion,
Of encouragement, and patience;
Someone who would accept
The Challenge Regardless Of The
Opposition;
Someone who could see potential
And believe in the best in others . . .
So he made teachers
- Author Unknown