83 Words of Encouragement

If there is a single little thing a parent might do to improve a child’s behavior, it is positive encouragement.  A nice comment or a pat on the back can go a long way.  So that you never run short of appropriate words for this purpose, use this list.  I’ve highlighted some of my personal favorites:

1. You’re on the right tract now.                    
2. Way to go!
3. You’re doing a good job.
4. Keep on trying.
5. You did a lot of work today.           
6. You’re the best.
7. Good work.
8. Nothing can stop you now.
9. That’s right.  
10. You’ve about made it.
11. Now you have the hang of it.                         
12. You’re very good at that.
13. That’s the way.                                             
14. You certainly did well today.
15. You’re doing fine. 
16. I’m very proud of you.
17. Now you have it.                       
18. You’re learning fast.
19. That’s great.                                                   
20. You’ve just about got it.
21. You did it that time.                                       
22. That’s good. 
23. That’s coming along nicely.                           
24. I’m happy to see you working like that.
25. Great.                                                                
26. That’s better than ever.
27. Fantastic.                                              
28. That’s quite an improvement.
29. Terrific.                                                 
30. Good work.
31. That kind of work makes me very happy.      
32. Tremendous.
33. Now you’ve figured it out.                        
34. Outstanding.
35. How did you do that?                                 
36. Perfect.
37. That’s better.                                                    
38. Fine.
39. Excellent.                                                         
40. That’s really nice.
41. That’s well done.              
42. Wow!
43. Keep it up                                                        
44. That’s it.
45. You figured it out fast.                                    
46. Keep up the good work.
47. Much better.               
48. Good for you.
49. Good thinking.                                                
50. Exactly right.
51. Super.
52. Nice going.
53. You make it look easy.  
54. You’re doing much better today.
55. I’ve never seen anyone do it better.                
56. Superb.
57. Wonderful.                                                    
58. I knew you could do it.
59. Keep working on it. You’re getting better.   
60. That’s a great way to do it.
61. You’re doing beautifully. 
62. You’re really working hard today.
63. You’re getting better every day.                     
64. You remembered.
65. You’re really improving.                                
66. I think you’ve got it now.
67. Well look at you go. 
68. You’ve got that down pat.
69. I like that.
70. Couldn’t have done it better myself.
71. Now that’s what I call a fine job.                   
72. You did that very well.
73. Congratulations.                                             
74. That was first class work.
75. Sensational.   
76. That’s the best ever.
77. You haven’t missed a thing.                           
78. You really make my job fun.
79. You must have been practicing.                     
80. You have reason to be proud.
81. It’s a pleasure to teach you when you work like that.
82. I enjoyed this time with you.
83. Thanks.          

Maybe you have some others to add to the list.  Please pass them along. We could all use a well-stocked closet of encouragement!  By the way, you might also take occasion to use some of these empowering and encouraging phrases on yourself when you need a little pick me up on a rough day.

That said, keep up the good work!

Jennifer

Jennifer Jackson Holden, Psy.D. is managing director of the Paoli, Pennsylvania office of the Center for Psychological Services. www.centerpsych.com drjenniferholden@gmail.com.