Exactly. “What is it? I think I see it! I bet you can do even better next time!” is far less discouraging than “that’s horrible, I can’t even tell what it is!”
Assuming that your goal is to construct a well-functioning mind, that is. (Which I hope is the goal of everyone who decides to make a child)
Praise means more when it has to be earned.
Especially for little kids, you don’t want to make praise too hard to get.
Exactly. “What is it? I think I see it! I bet you can do even better next time!” is far less discouraging than “that’s horrible, I can’t even tell what it is!”
Assuming that your goal is to construct a well-functioning mind, that is. (Which I hope is the goal of everyone who decides to make a child)
It’s a tricky balance. I don’t agree with Esar’s strategy, but I can see the logic behind it and was trying to share that understanding with Emile.