National Compliment Day is a special day that encourages people to spread positivity and kindness by giving sincere compliments to others. It is a great opportunity to teach children at an early age how to promote positivity, kindness, and confidence through compliments. At our preschool, we believe that every child deserves to feel good about themselves, and giving compliments is a wonderful way to promote self-esteem and positive social skills. Here are some tips on how to give a proper compliment and what a “compliment sandwich” is:

1. Be specific and sincere

When giving a compliment, it is important to be specific and sincere. Instead of saying “good job,” try to be more specific, such as “I like the way you colored inside the lines” or “You did a great job sharing your toys with your friends.” This shows that you are paying attention to the child’s actions and accomplishments, which can boost their confidence and encourage them to continue the behavior.

2. Use “I” statements

Using “I” statements can be helpful when giving compliments because it takes the focus off the child and puts it on your own thoughts and feelings. For example, instead of saying, “You are so smart,” try saying, “I am impressed with how well you solved that puzzle.” This shows that you are acknowledging the child’s abilities without defining them solely by their intelligence.

3. The “compliment sandwich”

The “compliment sandwich” is a technique that involves sandwiching constructive criticism between two compliments. For example, if a child is struggling with drawing a straight line, you could say, “I love the colors you chose for your picture. Let’s work on making those lines a little straighter. You are doing a great job with your shapes!” This technique can be helpful in giving constructive feedback while still promoting positivity and self-esteem.

At our preschool, we encourage our teachers and students to participate in National Compliment Day by giving sincere compliments to each other throughout the day. We believe that this helps to promote a positive and supportive environment where children can feel confident and valued. By teaching children how to properly give compliments and using techniques such as the “compliment sandwich,” we are helping to promote positivity, kindness, and confidence in our young learners. How are you celebrating National Compliment Day? Visit us on Facebook to let us know!