Criticism and feedback are essential to everyone’s self-development. From time to time, we all need others to let us know when we don’t measure up to our potential.
Learning to receive criticism is an important life skill and one that our children should develop. Teach kids that constructive criticism is like offering thoughtful feedback and it can help them gain valuable insight into their actions and strengthen trust between people that matter to them.
The best way to teach kids about how to deal with constructive criticism is through our own actions. Here are 4 tips to model receiving constructive criticism:
- Respond Respectfully
Constructive criticism is not an insult or a reflection on who you are as a person. It’s simply someone else’s opinions based on their interactions and observations. It doesn’t matter if the person has good intentions or is just being mean-spirited.
Come from a place of gratitude and respond with respect as if your critic’s intentions are good . Teach your children to be savvy enough to recognize how valid the feedback is.
- Sincerely Ask for Specifics
Many people are nervous giving constructive feedback and try to be as sensitive and polite as possible. However, sometimes it is their job to offer constructive criticism. Your child will experience this from a teacher or coach whose job it is to ensure their improvement. Explain to your kid that if they receive feedback from their teacher or coach, that it is for their own benefit and with their best interest in mind.
Allow them to ask the one giving them the constructive criticism for specifics on their observations. Vague feedback won’t give them enough information on how to proceed and how they can make positive changes.
- Ask for Advice
Receive constructive criticism with an open heart and an open mind. Show that you’re sincerely interested in improving your performance by asking for advice. Ask them for suggestions on how you can do better. You show a strength of character when you can graciously accept your flaws or shortcomings and solicit advice.
- Share your Progress with Who Offered You Feedback
Respect the person who gave you the constructive criticism and takes the advice seriously. Actively work on improving your performance. Share your progress with the person who shared the feedback with you and proves that you appreciate the concern they’ve shown for your future development. Show them that you are willing to actively take steps to advance.