Why feedback is important?
Parents play a significant role in shaping their child’s behavior and guiding. Providing feedback to children is necessary to understand how to give effective feedback so that they can be on right track to promote self-development. If parents and teachers give positive and meaningful feedback can develop the academic grades and self-confidence of the child. Appreciation and encouragement influence children to respond well and to be the way parents want. Feedback develops self-worth and confidence. Appropriate feedback can deal with students’ misbehavior which is caused by a lack of attention or motivation.
10 Ways to give effective feedback to children
1. Think before you give any feedback
We share opinions to help our children improve, learn and develop. First, focus on your words and the child’s sentiments. Remember, to be specific, clear, and sensitive while giving feedback to a child. Try to balance positive feedback with negative ones, it should be more positive feedback than negative.
2. Feedback should be constructive
Constructive feedback is necessary for cultivating self-growth and encouraging one to be a better individual. It should include ideas and suggestions to improve and a commitment to support.
3. Ask for permission and give control
Begin by asking for allowance. If you ask for allowance before giving feedback, you get to know how much your child wants to listen to you. For example, you can say- I have some suggestions that might help you, or do you want to know where are you wrong? Here you could also do that? Afterward, give them the choice to choose what is right or wrong for them.
4. Focus on actions
When delivering feedback you should focus on the child’s behavior and actions, rather than personality. This will help them understand that nothing is wrong with them and their actions can be corrected through understanding and learning from mistakes. Read More: 14 Effective Ways To Develop Leadership Quality In Your Child
5. Seek suggestions/ask for feedback too
It is important to know how the child feels when you give feedback to the child. It will enhance the ability to communicate effectively, which eventually leads to critical thinking and correction. For example, After the feedback, you can ask the child whether he/she thinks that there is a need for improvement? Will he/she take this feedback as an opportunity to learn and rectify the mistake? Is this feedback productive for them? Are they going to make changes based on the feedback?
6. Teach them to skillfully manage criticism
Some children face difficulty in handling criticism. In that case, parents should encourage their child to stay calm and listen when the person is giving constructive or positive criticism and make them understand what mistakes the child has made. Also, teach them not to give negative facial expressions. Educate the child to take criticism positively, show improvement and practice active listening.
7. Avoid giving too much feedbacks at a time
As we have heard, excess of everything is bad. Focus on giving just limited feedbacks at a time. So much feedbacks at a time will lead to confusing the child and unsure of what and how to rectify.
8. Keep it private
Feedback should be privatized. It will help the child to open up their thoughts and ask questions. This will allow your child to realize a sense of safety and comfort.
9. Use a gentle tone, rather than being impulsive
A gentle tone is better than a punitive one. Avoid using harsh words in the feedback. The use of bitter words and creating fear is not a healthy way to give feedback to your child.
10. It should be on time
If there is too much of a time gap between the action completed by the child and your feedback, it will lose its importance. Try to give feedback, as soon as the activity takes place.
