Making Praise a Daily Habit in 2026

Let’s be honest: when the school day gets busy (and when isn’t it?), praise is often the first thing to slip. Not intentionally — but between settling disputes, teaching fractions, and finding stray jumpers, those small moments of recognition can fall to the bottom of the list.

Yet those tiny moments are the very thing that hold a classroom together.

As we step into a new year, this is your gentle reminder: praise isn’t a bonus. It’s a daily habit that shapes your classroom culture, strengthens relationships, and helps every child feel seen — especially the ones who don’t always put their hand up.

Why Does Praise Deserve a Place in Your 2026 Routine?

• Because recognition creates emotional safety
• Because it motivates without pressure
• Because it builds routine, calm, and a sense of belonging

And, perhaps most importantly, because it helps you feel more in control. A smooth, positive classroom isn’t born from big gestures — it’s built from consistent, intentional moments.

Research shows that teachers value structure, inclusion, and small wins that don’t add to their workload . Making praise a habit brings all three together.

Three Teacher-Friendly Ways to Make Recognition Stick

1. Let Praise Be Seen as Well as Heard

A quick “well done” is lovely… but it disappears instantly. Visual praise — whether it’s a jotting in a reading record, a smile from a child holding a sticker, or a note home — gives recognition a longer life.

For many pupils, especially those with additional needs, tangible acknowledgement offers clarity and reassurance they can return to throughout the day.

2. Personalise the Moment

The magic isn’t in the reward itself — it’s in the message it sends: I spotted your effort. I noticed you trying. This moment belongs to you.

Personalised recognition creates connection. It lifts the quieter pupils, boosts confidence, and helps children understand exactly what they’re being praised for — something teachers often identify as a blindspot in current reward systems.

3. Anchor Praise to Routines You Already Do

The easiest habits are the ones that piggyback on something that already exists. Try choosing a moment that happens every single day:

• After morning tasks
• During transitions
• At tidy-up time
• Right before home time

When pupils expect praise to appear consistently, they begin to rise to meet that expectation.

The Ripple Effect of Daily Recognition

When praise becomes part of the classroom rhythm, you’ll likely see:

• Calmer transitions
• More independent learners
• Improved peer interactions
• A stronger sense of belonging
• Pupils who genuinely seek out effort, not perfection

It’s the small shifts that change the tone of a room. And in a year where teachers are stretched thinner than ever, sustainable habits — not big overhauls — are what make the difference.

A Resolution That Works With You, Not Against You

So here’s to 2026:

A year of noticing small wins.

A year of building confident learners.

A year of making praise a purposeful, daily habit that supports you as much as your pupils.

You’re already doing the hard part. This is the part that makes it feel a little easier.