Move over Praise! Adult Support Strategies in the Classroom that Encourage Engagement and Eliminate Praise

Workshop description:  In this workshop, participants will explore the significant impact of praise versus encouragement on children’s self-esteem and overall wellbeing. Research shows that praise can foster a fixed mindset, while encouragement supports a growth mindset, promoting resilience and a sense of competence. Through engaging lecture content, video examples, and group discussions, participants will learn why encouragement is a more effective tool for boosting children’s confidence and self-esteem.

About Julia Black:  Julia Black, MBA, ECE, has been a certified early childhood educator in BC since 1994. She has taught in Capilano University’s Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) program since 2007 and has been the program coordinator since 2019. Julia is dedicated to advancing children’s rights to quality early childhood care through education and advocacy for qualified early childhood educators.

Julia’s most important role is that of mum to two teenage sons—one of whom is neurodivergent, AuADHD—and who reminds her that “everyday is a hardship.” Her son’s daily struggles with finding a felt sense of belonging in education and in community compels Julia to focus on relational pedagogies, the ethics of care, and the importance of fostering supportive relationships among educators, children, and families in her work with early childhood educators.