Things You Can Say To Encourage A Child

from The TeachThought staff

There are many ways to encourage a child, but for students of any age, honest, authentic, and assertive messages from adults they trust are among the most powerful.

The National Center for Quality in Teaching and Learning has compiled the following list, 50 ways to encourage a child. It’s meant for younger students (K-12), but with the exception of 4, 17, 21, and maybe 40, they’re actually useful for K-12 in general. It all depends on your tone, the situation, and who else is listening.

In addition, they have several other useful documents below them tips for fostering relationships with teachers series you can also check out.

See also Sentence verses replace “I don’t know” or “I can’t”

70 things you can say to encourage a child

See also Need a lift? Here are 50 books that can make you happy

70 things you can say to encourage a child

Ed’s note: I started reworking this list and decided to do a follow up post. I left a few of the sentences before the list itself.

I respect how…when…

I noticed when you… and I thought…

You are getting better at… which I can tell is helping you through…

There are many wonderful things about you, but today I notice that…

I’ve tried… times and failed when I tried to… Stick with it and you might be surprised.

The way you… and… allows you to….

You inspire me to be a better teacher the way you…

• Fingers crossed.
• Now you are on the right track.
• You worked so hard on this.
• I heard you say how you feel. that’s awesome
• Oh, that turned out really well.
• This is going well.
• I’m proud of the way you worked today.
• You almost got it.
• This is the best you’ve ever done.
• You stayed so calm during this problem.
• that’s it!
• Now you understand!
• That’s quite an improvement.
• I knew you could do it.
• congratulations
• I love hearing your words.
• What a superstar you are.
• You solved the problem.
• Keep working on it, you’re almost done!
• Now you have it.
• Your brain has to work hard, you figured that out quickly.
• I bet you are proud of yourself.
• One more time and you’ll have it.
• Great idea!
• You are awesome!
• Great teamwork!
• Nothing can stop you now.
• You have such creative ideas.
• This is the way to do it.
• Sensational!
• You must have been working out.
• You did so well with this.
• I like how you think.
• Good memory.
• You know what to do!
• You really persevere with this.
• You expressed yourself very well.
• You did it!
• I knew you two could figure it out together.
• Excellent job saying how you feel.
• I know it’s hard, but you’re almost there.
• Fantastic problem solving!
• I love hearing about your ideas.
• I know it was hard for you, but you stayed so calm.
• yes
• I watched you help each other.
• You finished faster because you worked together.
• You kept trying!
• Excellent experience!
• You are a creative thinker.

20 more things you can say to encourage a child

i believe in you

I love how you keep getting better with practice.

You are capable of amazing things.

You make a difference.

Your efforts matter the most.

I love how you keep going even when it’s hard.

You are a great problem solver.

I love seeing you learn new things.

You have a good heart.

You are so creative.

It’s okay to make mistakes; that’s how we learn.

I appreciate how you keep challenging yourself.

Every time you try, you get better.

I’m so happy to know you.

You are so thoughtful and caring.

You make the world a better place.

I can see how much you are learning and growing.

You are important and matter.

70 things you can say to encourage a child; image attribution flickr user skokiemonumentpark