Health & Life

The Art of Constructive Criticism: 6 Rules for Parents to Guide Children Without Causing Harm

No one likes to hear complaints, not even from their own children. Remember these six golden rules of constructive criticism to ensure you don't unintentionally hurt your kids' feelings!

Administrator

11 July, 2024

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When children make mistakes, parents often scold and criticize them, which can make children feel hurt and upset. Not all parents know how to criticize their children constructively. Let’s explore six essential principles of constructive criticism that will help parents avoid hurting their children.

1Be Serious and Reasonable

The first rule for parents is to maintain a serious and reasonable attitude when criticizing their children. Avoid joking or overreacting. If your child makes a mistake, remain calm and have a conversation with them. Use words, facial expressions, and eye contact to convey your seriousness and help them understand their wrongdoing.

Be Serious and Reasonable

2Don’t Hold Past Mistakes Against Them

A crucial rule in parenting is to discipline, forgive, and then forget. Parents should not constantly bring up their children’s past mistakes. Doing so will inhibit their willingness to try new things and develop resilience. Moreover, it will cause them to dwell on their failures and develop a negative self-image.

Instead, parents should focus on creating a plan to help their children make better choices. Ask questions like, “What can I do to help you feel better?” to show empathy and guide them toward recognizing and rectifying their mistakes.

Let Go of Past Mistakes

3Help Them Find Solutions

Many parents point out their children’s mistakes without offering solutions, leaving children confused and unsure about how to improve. Parents should provide advice and guidance to help their children quickly resolve issues. Once the problem is solved, don’t forget to praise your child for their successful problem-solving skills.

Provide Solutions and Guidance

4Listen to Your Child

Pay attention and listen to your child’s explanations for their actions. Don’t jump to conclusions or scold them without understanding their perspective. Avoid labeling your child with statements like, “You’re such a naughty child,” or “You’re so lazy.” These statements can make children feel like they are inherently bad when, in reality, they’ve simply made a wrong choice.

Listen and Understand

5Avoid Public Scolding

Refrain from scolding or disciplining your child in front of their siblings, friends, or in public places. Doing so can damage their self-esteem and cause embarrassment and shame. If you’re in a public place, try to remain calm and give them a gentle reminder.

Avoid Public Scolding

6Recognize and Reward Progress

In addition to constructive criticism, remember to recognize and reward your child’s progress. If they have gone a long period without making the same mistake, offer praise and encouragement to motivate them to continue improving.

Recognize and Reward Progress

These principles of constructive criticism will help parents guide their children without causing harm. We hope this information assists parents in raising healthy and successful children.

Source: Báo Tổ quốc

Frequently asked questions

Constructive criticism is a form of feedback that is offered with the intent to help someone improve. It is a balanced approach that involves providing positive reinforcement along with suggestions for growth and development.

Constructive criticism is crucial for parents as it allows them to guide their children effectively without causing harm. By offering constructive criticism, parents can teach their children how to receive feedback gracefully, encourage self-improvement, and build resilience.

Parents can follow these six rules: Start with positive intentions and empathy; ensure the child is receptive to feedback; offer specific and actionable suggestions; provide a safe and supportive environment; maintain open and honest communication; and finally, encourage self-reflection and self-improvement.

By following these rules, parents can build a strong and trusting relationship with their children, foster a growth mindset, teach valuable life skills, and help their children develop emotional intelligence and resilience.

Parents can create a safe space by ensuring one-on-one time, maintaining a calm and respectful tone, actively listening to their children’s responses, and being open to feedback themselves. It’s important to create an environment where children feel comfortable expressing their emotions and where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities.