A viral parenting video is urging families to dramatically increase how often they praise their kids. In it, parenting coach and PhD researcher Dr. Chelsey Hauge-Zavaleta (@drchelsey_parenting) tells parents they should offer at least 100 praises a day to change behavior, and nearly 500 a day for neurodivergent children. The video quickly sparked thousands of comments from viewers asking how anyone could track praise that often.
Some parents applauded the challenge. Others joked that they barely speak to their kids 100 times a day, let alone praise them. Many worried that they were already doing too little.
So what do families actually need to know about praise, behavior, and raising kids who feel supported rather than constantly corrected?
What the viral video is really saying
In the video, Hauge-Zavaleta argues that repeated positive attention can change behavior by reinforcing what children do well. She describes a pattern in which kids remember and repeat what gets noticed. She also notes that neurodivergent kids, particularly those with ADHD, often receive more corrective feedback than encouragement.
Her numbers come from her own coaching framework. They are not recommendations from medical or psychological organizations. There is no published guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or the American Psychological Association (APA) telling parents to reach a daily praise quota.
What the video captures, however, aligns with evidence on positive reinforcement. When adults name a behavior a child is doing well, that behavior tends to happen more often.
Related: Dr. Becky shares the best way to praise our children so they don’t become jerks as adults
What research actually says about praise and behavior
Positive reinforcement has long been a core principle in child development and clinical psychology. Studies show that when behavior is followed by something rewarding, kids are more likely to repeat it. Reward can be warmth, attention, or specific praise.
Major child-health and psychology organizations support this idea in broad terms. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages caregivers to use positive reinforcement and specific, calm praise as part of healthy discipline.
Psychological research also highlights the importance of targeted feedback. The American Psychological Association explains that specific praise linked to behavior supports motivation and perseverance.
None of these organizations recommend a specific number of praises per day. Research shows that strategies work best when they are realistic and sustainable for families.
The takeaway is simple: clarity, connection, and believability matter more than counting.
Why this kind of advice creates stress for parents
Thousands of commenters shared that the idea resonated with them, especially those raising neurodivergent kids who often hear more directions or corrections at school. At the same time, many parents wondered how they could possibly keep up.
Some caregivers already feel overextended. They manage work schedules, sensory needs, therapies, transitions, and emotional support throughout the day. For others, there are long stretches when kids are at school, playing independently, or with other caregivers. In those routines, praising a child hundreds of times a day may not be feasible.
When advice starts to sound like a benchmark to hit, guilt can surface quickly. Any useful strategy must account for caregiver capacity. Families benefit most when they feel encouraged, not measured.
Related: 3 key ways you can raise a happy, confident child—with your praise
Neurodivergent kids and the impact of extra correction
The video highlights a concern that many parents recognize. Neurodivergent children are often corrected more frequently because their differences in attention, impulsivity, or sensory needs are misunderstood as misbehavior. This can lead to more negative feedback and fewer moments of celebration.
Research supports the idea that repeated criticism affects emotional response. A study published by the Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology found that children with ADHD can be more sensitive to critical feedback and may respond differently to it over time.
Many evidence-based parenting programs for children with ADHD include the practice of “catching them doing something right.” This encourages caregivers to acknowledge effort, progress, or cooperation, which helps children feel seen for their strengths.
Parents cannot control all the messages children receive from school, peers, or public spaces. They can create moments at home where kids receive attention for persistence, kindness, curiosity, or small acts of problem-solving.
How to use “sportscaster praise” without tracking numbers
The video encourages parents to try “sportscaster praise,” a strategy in which adults briefly describe what a child is doing well in real time. It might sound like:
“You zipped your coat on your own”
“You waited while I poured your drink”
“You put the marker cap back on”
This technique works because it is specific, observable, and believable. It does not demand big emotional reactions. It simply names what happened.
If families want to try it, here are realistic ways to start:
- Choose one routine, such as bedtime or getting into the car, and look for three moments to notice
- Pair praise with everyday transitions that already occur
- Use short statements rather than exaggerated compliments
- Focus on effort, strategy, or cooperation, not perfection
Specific praise tends to be most effective when it fits the caregiver’s personality. Some parents naturally speak with enthusiasm. Others offer quiet observations. Both can support a child’s confidence.
Related: Try these 10 mindful phrases to effectively praise your kids
A final thought for parents feeling the pressure
Noticing what children do well can make a meaningful difference, especially for kids who hear a lot of correction. Neurodivergent children deserve to be recognized for their effort and creativity, not only reminded of rules.
Families do not need to count supportive moments to make them matter. A few small, specific interactions repeated over time can help children build a more balanced view of themselves. Caregivers who feel supported, rather than graded, are the ones best able to offer that kind of attention.
Noticing small moments of effort or connection is powerful. No quota is required.
Sources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics. 2019. “Council on Child Abuse and Neglect; Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. Effective Discipline to Raise Healthy Children.”
- The American Psychological Association. 2015. “Using praise to enhance student resilience and learning outcomes.”
- Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. 2020. “Children’s Reward and Punishment Sensitivity Moderates the Association of Negative and Positive Parenting Behaviors in Child ADHD Symptoms”