Challenge yourself to use process praise with your child. Be as specific as you can. Praising the process takes some practice but the benefits to your child are limitless.

See how to restate these phrases of praise to focus on the process instead:

• Your child gets a good grade on a test:
  Instead of saying: "You're so smart."
  Try saying: "You studied really hard for that test."
• Your child writes a great poem: Instead of saying: "You're a great writer!"
  Try saying: "The metaphors you used were very creative."
  
• Your child's team wins a soccer game: Instead of saying: "Way to go! You're a soccer star!"
  Try saying: "Way to go! Your passes were great!"