Back in the 70s, there was a huge self-esteem movement in…
““Back in the 70s, there was a huge self-esteem movement in education. Basically, it said that if you continued to tell children they were great and everything they did was great, they would turn out great. But that’s not what actually happened. “The problem is, very simply, that sometimes things we do are not always great! Sometimes we simply do it wrong; we make mistakes; we screw up. Instead of those students learning that, what they learned was that learning was about never messing up, and that was not reality.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Overpraise in education can create a false belief that mistakes are unacceptable, hindering genuine learning and resilience.
In simple terms: Constant praise can teach kids that errors are bad, not a normal part of growth.
Key Takeaway
Praise must be balanced with realistic feedback.
Themes
education
self-esteem
growth mindset
feedback
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
advice
observation
When to use this quote
- classroom grading
- parent‑child encouragement
- coaching sessions
Key Concepts
psychology of motivation
learning theory
Practical Applications
- Provide specific, process‑focused feedback
- Encourage reflection on mistakes
Questions to Reflect On
- How can educators praise effort without masking errors?
- What feedback style best builds resilience?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that positive reinforcement boosts confidence; however, without corrective input it may foster complacency.