Too Much Praise? The Dangers of “Good Boy/Girl Syndrome”

Harpreet SG
These students from Toronto Montessori Schools are feeling plenty of satisfaction! PHOTO BY: Dave Chidley, 2008.

Do you feel satisfied after a job well done without someone else commending you for it? Do you labor hard to be someone others want you to be? Do you have trouble saying “no” to people? It is a pitiable condition. The irony is that this handicap is often a ‘gift’ from parents and caretakers wanting to coax their wards in developing ‘their way’. As a child you often hear, “Good boy!” or “Good girl!” Experts say that these comments inflict deep wounds – I call it the ‘good boy/girl syndrome.’ The wounds are not physically visible but have long lasting impact on their personalities, their resilience, and their motivation to do good – the very thing that we attempt to invoke in our children by making these comments.

Tackling the Debate: Multi-Faith Schools – In Defense of Multiculturalism

Harpreet SG
Tackling the Debate

In Quebec, there was recently a controversy over whether or not a course on ethics and religious culture should be mandatory to all students, or if students of a certain faith could be exempt. Our Kids contributor Harpreet Singh Gill argues for multi-faith instruction.

A Child’s Choice

Harpreet SG
Montessori schools let children direct their own learning. Toronto Montessori Schools (2008). PHOTO BY: Dave Chidley.

Adults do not know the best choice for a child. In fact, one can seldom make the best choice for another individual (adult or child). In almost every situation lies a variety of good options that may be easy to discern. However, the best choice will vary from one individual to another. It will depend on the individual’s preferences, capacities, and destiny. It is another matter that most of us lack awareness of ourselves to make the best choice for us.

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