"Good job!" "Beautiful!" "I love it!" These are natural things to say when a child shows us their coloring. They’re kind, but they don’t say much. Research on praise suggests that specific, process-focused feedback can do more to build motivation than general praise.
Describe what you see
Instead of judging, describe:
- "You used lots of blue in the sky."
- "The unicorn’s mane has five different colors."
- "You colored the whole page, all the way to the edges."
Describing shows you really looked.
Notice effort
- "You kept going even when the crayon broke."
- "You took your time on those tiny spots."
- "You traced so slowly and carefully."
Praising effort teaches that effort matters.
Notice choices
- "Why did you choose purple for the dog?"
- "I see you made a pattern on his shirt."
- "You decided to add a background. Tell me about it."
Choices are what make coloring creative.
Ask questions
- "Tell me about your picture."
- "What’s this character’s name?"
- "What was the trickiest part?"
- "What’s your favorite part?"
Questions show interest and invite storytelling.
Show genuine interest
Put the phone down, look at the page and listen. Your attention is the best praise.
Phrases to avoid (sometimes)
- "You’re so talented." Suggests ability is fixed.
- "That’s perfect." Can create pressure.
- "Good job" on repeat. Fine occasionally, but empty when overused.
Examples
A child shows a goofy face page from Trace Then Color: Goofy Faces:
- Instead of: "Good job!"
- Try: "Wow, you gave him green hair and a purple nose. He looks so silly! What’s his name?"
A child shows a unicorn from Trace Then Color: Unicorn Animals:
- Instead of: "Beautiful!"
- Try: "You blended the pink and orange in the mane. How did you do that?"
Questions parents ask
Is it wrong to say "good job"?
No. It’s just more powerful to be specific.
What if I don’t like the picture?
Describe and ask questions. Your opinion of the art matters less than your interest.
Does praise affect creativity?
Process-focused, specific praise can support motivation and risk-taking, which help creativity.
About Kevin Coulston
Kevin Coulston is a cartoonist and member of the National Cartoonists Society who has written and illustrated more than 100 drawing, tracing and coloring books for kids, including the Trace Then Color series. Meet Kevin or browse all his books on FirstArtBooks.com.
