Thursday, May 14, 2026

Ask questions that encourage self-improvement

If you say, "You could do better" when your child does a half-hearted job on an assignment, your child may hear, "You're not good enough." You don't need to praise your elementary schooler for a poor effort. But to motivate, it helps to begin by saying something positive about the work. Then ask, "Are you satisfied with your work? Do you think the assignment reflects the effort you put in? What would you do differently next time?" It's possible your child will say, "I could do better."