Written praise is used less frequently than verbal praise, but that doesn’t mean we should overlook it.

When using written praise, bear in mind that it brings all the benefits of verbal praise, while also having the additional benefit of being fixed in time and space.

If praise is written down, it means learners can refer back to it.

They can look through their books and remind themselves of the praise you wrote down.

Many learners find this motivational.

You can also use written praise as a tool.

For example, you might have a learner who is struggling to engage with the topic.

To help motivate them, you might flick back through their book and point to some of the written praise you have given them in the past.

This is a great way to help learners reframe their thinking, as it reminds them of their previous success.

Usually, written praise is delivered in the form of feedback, or it is attached to feedback.

This reflects the fact that we usually give written praise when we are marking learners’ books.

Here are three techniques you can use to ensure your written praise is effective:

Use Learners’ Names

Use the learner’s name and highlight specific things in their work that are good, explaining why they are good in the process.

This means your praise is genuine and specific.

Both help make praise more meaningful. And give it a greater impact.

Personalising what you write by using the learner’s name serves to demonstrate that the comment you are leaving is specific to them (even if you might have written the same thing in twenty books!).

In addition, by explaining why certain things are good you open up success criteria for learners, making it easier for them to understand what good work looks like.

And, therefore, what they should aim for in the future.

Give More Praise Than Targets

This is for two reasons.

First, the praise you give will motivate learners at the same time as it opens up success criteria for them (increasing their chances of being successful in the future).

Second, learners will be more likely to take on board any developmental comments if they are preceded by examples of what they have done well.

A good ratio to stick to is three positive points to one target.

Focus on Processes

When we are marking a piece of work, we can easily fall into the trap of giving praise solely about that piece of work.

Praise that focuses on the processes learners used when creating a piece of work can also be powerful.

We take processes with us and use them again in the future.

Praising processes shows learners you understand what has gone into the production of their work.

It also shows learners that if they persist with the same processes (for example, putting in effort, using trial and error, or planning their work before they begin), they will likely be successful again in the future.

Non-Verbal Praise

Let’s now turn our attention to non-verbal praise. Another technique you can call on to help you manage behaviour in the classroom.

Non-verbal praise is praise communicated through gestures, facial expressions and body language.

It is an excellent supplement to verbal and written praise. Another tool in your praise armoury.

Here are five examples of non-verbal praise you can use with your learners.

Smiling

Easily overlooked by the stressed, time-poor teacher.

Smiling radiates enthusiasm and is a quick and easy way to show learners you are happy to be there and that what they are doing is good.

Thumbs up

This is often well used as a subtle indication to a learner who is uncertain or looking for some validation.

A discreet thumbs up indicates that they are on the right track and should continue in this direction.

A look of revelation

If a learner makes a great point or does something good yet unexpected, you can react to this with a look of revelation, as if to say: ‘wow, I hadn’t thought of that.’

This is a nice way to positively reinforce surprising or innovative behaviour and/or thinking.

Nodding to signal affirmation

When learners are asking you something or explaining a point, nodding to signal affirmation is a simple way to encourage them to continue with what they are doing.

Gestures that complement speech

Using gestures to complement your speech means reinforcing the content of your words through your body language.

This makes for a more powerful message.

It tends to increase the perception of sincerity.

And it gives learners a means through which they can check they have understood what you have said (by comparing what they have decoded to what they see in your body language).