Home LearningParentingHow to Help your Preschooler Deal with Constructive Criticism

Criticisms are tough to handle, whether an adult or a child. Negative feedback might make your child sad. It is natural. As parents, it is our job to help them understand feedback and use them constructively for improvement. Via constructive criticism, we learn from our mistakes, find better ways to deal with the blunders, and grow ourselves. It is the same for kids too.

Children are frequently exposed to constructive criticism at a young age as their parents and teachers guide and educate them. As they get older, they will be expected to deliver constructive criticism to their colleagues. Negative feedback can be difficult for a child to accept and give.As a result, it is critical to teach your child how to deliver appropriate constructive criticism while also learning to take it.

With constructive criticism being critical to your child’s growth and engagement with people around them, it’s necessary to teach your kid how to handle it graciously without feeling defeated. Here are some key pointers to have in mind while educating your kid to deal with constructive criticism.

 

Teach them what Constructive Criticism is

Explain that criticism is valuable because it allows them to learn from others and develop themselves. By taking the time to explain something to your child, you are expressing that you believe they will understand it.

 

Introduce Constructive Criticism Early

While it is never appropriate to condemn your child for attempting to do things for themselves or express themselves, it is necessary to correct them when they are incorrect. If they see a dog and call it a cat, you should gently correct them, saying it is a dog. The early you start educating them, making them understand their mistakes, the better it will be for them. Be mindful not to overdo and point out every mistake. Leave some room for them to learn by themselves. Children need to understand from an early age that they are not always correct and do not need to be.

 

Model Constructive Critics

When your child gets older, ask your child for their feedback and model the appropriate behaviour to conduct while receiving it. Modelling the conduct is the best method to teach a child how to provide constructive criticism and how it should be received. Their feedback taken seriously will make them feel more important and valued in the family. They will take the understanding of criticism more gravely.

Here are some tips for your children to remember while practicing this skill

• Keep yourself calm. If needed, try breathing techniques.
• Do not retaliate, get angry, make negative comments or expressions. It can be harmful to yourself.
• It is okay to disagree with the person criticizing you or the points. Stay calm, try to discuss your thoughts with us(parents) or another adult person you trust.
• Use a calm tone while receiving criticism. Use phrases like “Yes, I understood.” or “Got it, thanks.”
• If there isn’t much clarity, humbly ask questions to gain a better understanding.
• Try to find the root cause or problem for the criticism and not go on the tone or words.
• Help your children understand the consequences of the mistakes so that they do not repeat themselves.
• Give your children the opportunity to correct themselves.

It is not easy to teach and model your child to receive and give criticism constructively. As parents, we instinctively want our children not to get hurt anytime. It is essential to remember that the right feedback is an integral part of their development. By teaching them early, you can prepare them for not only how to receive constructive criticism but also the correct way to give it.

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