🏆 or 😓? Praise or Pressure: Rethinking How We Motivate Learners”

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Saying “You’re the best!” feels good — but it can create fear of not being the best tomorrow.
️ Why it matters: Overpraising outcomes may increase anxiety or discourage risk-taking.
Tip: Praise effort, strategy, and growth: “You worked hard!”
Benefit: Encourages resilience and a love for learning — not just for winning.

I agree. Many students may experience anxiety at some point of their school life as they strive to consistently achieve top grades . As teachers , it's important that we regularly reflect on our practices to ensure we are not unintentionally contributing to an already stressful environment. Praising effort, strategy and growth is the way to go.

@Sanaa Increased Motivation: Effective praise motivates students by acknowledging their efforts and achievements, encouraging persistence and goal-setting.

@Sanaa By recognizing their hard work and successes, teachers motivate students to continue striving for improvement and setting new goals. This intrinsic motivation is crucial for sustained effort and academic success.

@Sanaa When students receive praise, it validates their abilities and accomplishments, boosting their self-confidence and fostering a positive self-perception. This positive self-esteem can translate into a greater willingness to take on challenges and participate actively in learning.

@Sanaa Praising positive behaviors and academic endeavors reinforces these actions, leading to better learning outcomes and increased engagement with the material.

@Sanaa
Absolutely! Praising effort over outcomes shifts the focus from being the best to doing your best. When we highlight hard work, smart strategies, and persistence, we help learners build confidence that doesn’t depend on perfection. It’s how we grow resilient, curious minds who aren’t afraid to try, fail, and try again

@LISELLI
Thank you, Liselli. You're absolutely right—many students silently carry the burden of expectations. As teachers, being mindful of how our feedback shapes their emotional well-being is crucial. Your point about praising effort, strategy, and growth is a powerful reminder to nurture resilience, not pressure.

@Shaista-Begum said in or ? Praise or Pressure: Rethinking How We Motivate Learners”:

@Sanaa Increased Motivation: Effective praise motivates students by acknowledging their efforts and achievements, encouraging persistence and goal-setting.

Indeed, Shaista! Acknowledging students' hard work boosts their internal drive and helps them stay focused on long-term goals. It's amazing how consistent encouragement can fuel motivation in such a lasting way.

@Shaista-Begum

Absolutely! Confidence grows when students feel seen and valued for what they bring to the table. This self-belief is what empowers them to take on challenges and step outside their comfort zones.

@Shaista-Begum said in or ? Praise or Pressure: Rethinking How We Motivate Learners”:

@Sanaa Praising positive behaviors and academic endeavors reinforces these actions, leading to better learning outcomes and increased engagement with the material.

Exactly, reinforcing positive behavior through meaningful praise creates a ripple effect. It encourages deeper engagement and builds a classroom culture rooted in support, curiosity, and collaboration. ️

@Shaista-Begum -Well said again! When we validate their effort, we not only encourage growth but also help build habits that lead to lifelong learning. That inner spark—driven by intrinsic motivation—is what truly sustains success.

@Mariya-Rajpar So beautifully said, Mariya! Shifting from a perfection-focused mindset to one that celebrates effort helps students see challenges as opportunities, not threats. That’s where real learning—and growth—begins. Thank you for highlighting this powerful perspective! .

@Mariya-Rajpar said in or ? Praise or Pressure: Rethinking How We Motivate Learners”:

@Sanaa
Absolutely! Praising effort over outcomes shifts the focus from being the best to doing your best. When we highlight hard work, smart strategies, and persistence, we help learners build confidence that doesn’t depend on perfection. It’s how we grow resilient, curious minds who aren’t afraid to try, fail, and try again

So beautifully said, Mariya! Shifting from a perfection-focused mindset to one that celebrates effort helps students see challenges as opportunities, not threats. That’s where real learning—and growth—begins. Thank you for highlighting this powerful perspective! .