Kind words are like sunshine. When a child hears them, they stand a little taller. Here’s how to praise your child in a way that really helps.
Little ones hear a lot of words in a day. “Hurry up.” “Stop that.” “Not now.” We all say them. That’s real life. But kind words are free, and you can hand them out all day long.
What it means for your child
Children learn kindness by seeing it and hearing it. Here’s how it grows at each age.
- Babies: They can’t follow every word yet, but they feel your warm voice. Talk softly and smile while you feed, change and rock them.
- Toddlers: Sharing and taking turns are brand new. When your toddler hands you a toy, say “Thank you for sharing!” like it’s the best gift ever.
- Preschoolers: They love to help. When they comfort a friend or help a little brother or sister, name it: “That was kind.”
- School-age kids: Being fair and being a good friend matter a lot now. Ask who was kind at school today, and who they were kind to.
Try this tonight
Tonight, go on a kindness hunt. It takes no extra time.
- Watch for one kind thing your child does before bedtime, even a small one.
- Say exactly what you saw: “You gave your brother the blue cup. That was kind.”
- At bedtime, bring it up again and ask, “How did it feel to be kind today?”
Words you can use
- “I saw what you did. That was so kind.”
- “You made your friend smile today.”
- “Thank you for helping. You made my day better.”
At Nana’s Place
Nana’s Place cares for children from 6 weeks to 12 years old in two buildings in Glendale, with day, evening and overnight care. We think kind words belong in every part of a child’s day. We’d love to show you around, so book a tour at either building.
Questions parents ask
Is it okay to praise my child a lot?
Yes, when it’s real. Try praising what they did, not just saying “good job.” “You waited your turn” teaches more than “good boy” or “good girl.” For more on praising the effort, see Every “I did it!” starts with “Can I try?”.
How do I teach my toddler to be kind?
Show it first. Say please and thank you to your child, use a gentle voice, and point out kindness when you see it. Toddlers learn a lot by copying you.
Kind words cost nothing and last a long time. When you smile while you say them, even better. Nana says more about that in The best lessons are taught with a smile.
