Praise effort and strategy

Quick answer

Learning outcome

• You can explain how you tried to solve a maths problem
• You know how to praise someone for working hard, not just getting the right answer
• You understand that trying and making mistakes helps you learn
• You can use words like "strategies", "try", "improve", and "keep going"

Why this matters

How it works

1. Try one way first
2. Notice it didn’t work
3. Try a new way
4. Learn from what happened
5. Get better at solving similar problems

• "You tried a new way to solve that"
• "I like how you kept trying"
• "You used a strategy that helped you"

• "You used your fingers to count"
• "You broke the big problem into smaller parts"
• "You checked your work"

Examples you can see

Problem: You have 12 apples. You want to share them equally between 3 friends. How many apples does each friend get?

Strategy 1: Counting by groups

• You put 1 apple on each friend’s plate, then 1 more, and so on
• You keep going until all 12 apples are shared
• You count how many apples each friend got: 4 apples

Strategy 2: Using division

• You know that 12 divided by 3 = 4
• You use what you know about numbers to solve it

Praise for effort:

• "You counted carefully and didn’t give up"
• "You tried two ways and compared them"

Praise for strategy:

• "You used the group method, which is a great way to start"
• "You thought about what division means"

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Maths Detective

You are a maths detective and your job is to solve puzzles. But you can’t just guess! You have to use your brain and try different ways. Here’s your first case:

1. First time: You see a puzzle with 15 stars. You want to group them into 3 equal rows. What do you do?
2. Second time: You notice that 5 + 5 + 5 = 15. So, you try making 3 rows with 5 stars each.
3. Third time: You check if it works. You count the rows and stars.
4. Fourth time: You explain to a friend how you solved it. You say, "I used equal groups!"

Challenge: Can you try this with 18 stars and 6 rows? How many stars go in each row?

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Saying "You’re so clever!" when someone gets the right answer. Why it happens: Parents or teachers want to make kids feel good. Fix: Instead, say, "You worked really hard on that!" or "You tried a new way and it worked!"
• Mistake: Not noticing how someone solved a problem. Why it happens: People are busy or not used to asking questions about how things are done. Fix: Ask, "How did you figure that out?" or "What strategy did you use?"
• Mistake: Saying "I’m not good at maths" when you make a mistake. Why it happens: You think making mistakes means you're not smart. Fix: Remind yourself that mistakes help you learn. Try again and ask for help!

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by focusing on how they learn, not just how they do. Here are some simple ways to do this:

• Ask questions like, "How did you solve that?" or "What did you try first?"
• Praise effort, not just results. For example, "You kept trying even when it was hard"
• Use words like "strategy", "try", "improve", and "keep going"
• Encourage your child to explain their thinking, even if they get the answer wrong
• Model a growth mindset yourself. Say things like, "I’m learning new things every day"

Helpful phrases:

• "That’s a good way to think about it!"
• "You’re trying really hard!"
• "Let’s see if we can find another way"
• "I like how you thought about that"

Remember: It’s okay to make mistakes. They help us learn and grow. Don’t worry if your child gets stuck or says, "I don’t know." Instead, ask, "What can we try next?"

Practice questions

1. How did you solve 6 + 7? Explain your strategy.
2. What strategy did you use to find 8 × 3?
3. When you had trouble with a maths problem, what did you do?
4. Can you name one way you tried to solve a maths problem?
5. What did you learn from making a mistake?

Answers:

1. You might have counted on from 6, or used doubles (5 + 5 = 10, then 10 + 2 = 12)
2. You might have thought of 8 × 3 as 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 24
3. You might have tried drawing a picture, used your fingers, or asked for help
4. You might have used a number line, or drawn groups
5. You might have learned a new way to solve similar problems

FAQ

What does it mean to have a growth mindset? A growth mindset means believing that your abilities can grow with effort and learning. It’s not about being born smart, but about trying, learning, and improving.

Why is praising effort better than praising being smart? When you praise effort, it encourages children to keep trying, even when things are hard. When you praise being smart, children might avoid challenges for fear of looking stupid.

How can I help my child with a maths problem? Ask questions like, "What did you try first?" or "How can you check your answer?" This helps them think about their strategy.

Can I still praise my child when they get the right answer? Yes, but focus on how they got there. For example, "You solved it quickly and used a good strategy!"

What if my child says, “I’m not good at maths”? Listen to them and say, "Everyone makes mistakes when learning. What can we try next?" Then help them find a new way to solve it.