Experienced teacher of over 40 years, Rita Pierson, is a woman after our own hearts with her techniques for positive praise in the classroom to promote a growth mindset.

If a child has received a lower score than they would have liked in a test, Rita will mark their work with a positive +2 and a smiley, rather than a negative -18.

Pierson says that a child may be baffled by this praise, but they’ll be much more motivated to beat that score next time around, because “-18 sucks all the life out of you, +2 says I ain’t all bad.”

Watch her inspiring TED talk below for tips and tricks to use at home and in the classroom.