Today's Tip for Families

11-15-2023

Replace Criticism With Positive Feedback

Most families try to help their teens by offering opinions and advice. The adults think they are giving helpful feedback and direction. But often, what the teens hear is judgment and criticism.

Your teen is more likely to listen—and not feel put down or put upon—if you:

• Comment only on changes in your teen's behavior or performance that will bring a measurable difference in results that both of you can see. Ignore the little things.
• Suggest specific actions your teen can do or stop doing to improve work or behavior.
• Correct work or behavior, not your teen. You want your teen to feel that it’s the actions that are defective—not your teen.
• Comment on both good and bad performance. Try to sandwich negative feedback between positive encouragement. And remember that teens who always behave well or always do good work also need recognition.
• Speak up when necessary. Keeping quiet about needed improvements only prolongs a problem.
• Allow your teen to voice viewpoints without interruption. This is a good way to see if your student understands your comments.
• End on a positive note. Say that you know your teen is capable of making improvements, and your feedback is only meant to help.

Brought to you by:

Mott-Regent Public School

[School Success Ideas for Families]

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