Praise is certainly not a bad thing, but knowing what to praise and when makes the difference. Carol Dweck's research teaches more than mindset. In her 1999 article entitled "Caution-Praise Can Be Dangerous!", Dweck argues that one sentence of praise can have "powerful and pervasive effects."  Students are extremely sensitive and, from the interactions and experiences they have with adults, lasting beliefs about their own personal qualities are formed and reinforced.  "The kinds of praise (and criticism) students receive from their teachers and parents tell them how to think about what they do--and what they are." Read more...