Feedback Srategies

 Feedback Strategies.

Positive quote, source: Shutterstock

1. Article ONE

The first article I selected to read was "What kind of messages to help kids grow" by Deborah Farmer Kris. They discuss the whole idea of how children develop their self concept on their own but it can be from what they hear and see around them. For example, if a child draws a picture and one parents says "wow that is amazing, good job" seem like the right answer doesn't it? What if we look into that in more detail.

The child would of course gain confidence and be very proud of themselves but that could lead them into a bad hole where, what if their next picture they draw they colour outside the lines and they compare it to the last picture they did and remember what that parent said to them. That would automatically know it is not the same and doubt their ability, some may ever get angry at themselves and stop drawing.

Now lets look at what the other parent said, they replied with "wow, the colours are so pretty in your drawing". This can be a lot more beneficial for a child to hear because if they made a mistake in their next drawing, they wont instantly think they failed. If their colours looked nice that is all that matters and maybe they will try make them colours even more pretty.

Sesame Street released a brilliant video for kids on how to learn The Power of Yet. It shows kids that if they don't get soemthing first try, that is not a sign to give up and to say "I will never get this" or "I can't do this". If they put their mind to it they can try to again because that is what is important and that is how they will learn. 

Going forward picutre, source: Shutterstock

2. Article TWO

The second article I read was "Try feedforward instead of feedback" by Marshall Goldsmith. They speak on the importance of how you go about giving your feedback. It is very easy to not knowingly put someone ten steps back in their work if you made them feel small. You can give praise and show someone how they can improve their work for the next time. Instead of saying "This is wrong", try say something like "Try thing way next time and see how you get on" etc. They both mean the same but one make the person motivated and doesn't set them back steps. 

Marshall carried out a research project with thousands of people about giving feedback and the ending result showed how many people took a positive light from this experiment rather than having a negative cloud hanging over their heads walking out.

It shows us how we can turn giving feedback into such a more positive thing! This is very important for all aspects of life. at home, at school, at college and at work. So instead of feeding something back in the past feed them forward! FeedForward is the new feedBack.