Accepting feedback means being open to both compliments and constructive advice. Studies show that many people struggle with receiving feedback, whether positive or negative. However, young people are observed to be more adaptable when they receive guidance and encouragement.
The Accepting Feedback: Compliments and Criticism handout is made to help clients understand the importance of responding well to feedback. It also explains why some people struggle to accept compliments, ways to accept them graciously, and how to deal with criticism calmly.
Learning to receive feedback with this handout builds self-awareness and resilience in young people. They can practice it in different settings — such as school, during activities, or at home — so they can become more comfortable learning from their mistakes and improving.
Caring adults can support this process by modeling how to accept feedback themselves in everyday situations. Moreover, offering praise when children handle feedback reinforces their ability to learn.
Our Accepting Compliments worksheets and Accepting Criticism worksheets can be used alongside this handout to increase understanding.
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References:
- Audia, P. G., & Locke, E. A. (2003). Benefiting from negative feedback. Human Resource Management Review, 13(4), 631-646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2003.11.006
- Van Houtum, L. A., Will, G., Wever, M. C., Janssen, L. H., Van Schie, C. C., Tollenaar, M. S., & Elzinga, B. M. (2022). Adolescents’ affective and neural responses to parental praise and criticism. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 54, 101099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2022.101099
- Ye, X., Wang, Q., & Pan, Y. (2023). The impact of head teacher praise and criticism on adolescent non-cognitive skills: Evidence from China. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1021032
