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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, August 15, 2013 | 10 let's landscape I T O G E T H E R Keeping positive reinforcement positive That's Life Andy Juniper FREE SALT GENERATOR WITH INSTALLATION OF YOUR POOL BEFORE SEPT. 30, 2013! For all your landscaping needs call, click or visit showroom! Create your own PARADISE. Scan with Mobile Device 3235 Fairview Street, Unit #5 Burlington, Ontario L7N 3LI 905.639.7292 TF: (888) 727.3411 31 Dundas St. E. (Hwy #5) Waterdown, Ontario L9H 7H8 905.689.1880 www.letslandscape.ca DESIGN · BUILD · MAINTAIN C E L E B R A T I O N s it possible that we've taken the noble notion of positive reinforcement to such extremes that we've turned it into a negative? Researchers believe that this may be the case. And comedian Denis Leary is absolutely certain -- hence his rant that nowadays we pamper kids, we go out of our way to protect their fragile young egos, goose their self-esteem and build their con dence, and we reward them mightily for participation. Whereas, in Leary's day, those reaping rewards were those who had actually done the best. "We've raised a generation of kids," Leary says, "where every time you play a game or sport, you get a trophy. Now it's like: Hey kid, you suck... here's a trophy." Ah, Leary's day. Indeed, there was a time -- and it wasn't all that long ago -- when, if a child was doing something wrong, he or she was told what they were doing wrong, reprimanded, then pointed in the right direction. If they were failing at school, they actually failed (as opposed to be bumped up into the next level). However, at some point, there was a societal swing: it was determined that such behaviours were harmful to our precious progeny and, for purposes of parenting and educating, we all ran off in the opposite direction. Suddenly, it somehow made sense to never fail kids, even if they were, well, failing. Further, we were advised to slather our sons and daughters with attery and to pile on the Guest Contributor praise. You've heard the saying, "damning with faint praise"? Well, apparently we may have damning with strong praise. According to a new study, spearheaded by Carol Dweck, a professor of developmental psychology at Stanford University, praising children might actually be harmful. That is, if it's the wrong kind of praise. For the study, 128 fth-graders were administered basic IQ tests. One group was told it had performed really well, and must be very smart. The other group was told it had performed really well, and must have worked very hard. In all subsequent tests, the group that was praised for being so smart underperformed the group that was praised for working so darned hard. In fact, the group praised for intelligence was reluctant to even take what they were told would be a harder test. Conversely, 90 percent of those commended for their hard work were `eager' to take the tougher test. "Contrary to popular belief," Dweck said, "praising children's intelligence did not give see Praising on p.15 OPENING 99 5 Piece Living Room Includes sofa, loveseat, cocktail table & 2 end tables Sale Extended to August 19th! All Stores are Joining the Celebrations! $ 89" Sofa $ 96 Twin Sleigh Bed Includes headboard, footboard & rails. 5 Piece Bedroom Includes twin bed, dresser & mirror. Twin Poster Bed Includes headboard, footboard & rails. 5 Piece Bedroom $ 97 $ 743 95 Includes twin bed, dresser & mirror. $ 647 $ 97 24 EQUAL MONTHLY PAYMENTS ­ NO INTEREST* $ Shopping Spree 5000 enter to win 5 Piece Dining Room Includes 41" rectangular counter height table and 4 bar stools. $ 97 4561 Hurontario St, Unit #2 South East Corner of Hwy #10 & Eglinton Monday to Friday 10am to 9pm Saturday 10am to 6pm Sunday Noon to 5pm Mississauga Stoney Creek 410 Lewis Road and the South Service Rd Located in Stoney Creek Decor Centre next to Stoney Creek Furniture Monday to Friday 10am to 9pm Saturday 10am to 5:30pm Sunday Noon to 5pm Woodbridge NOW OPEN Monday to Friday 10am to 9pm Saturday 10am to 6pm Sunday Noon to 5pm Find us on Facebook 7979 Weston Rd Located North of Hwy 7 Monday to Friday 10am to 9pm Saturday 10am to 6pm Sunday Noon to 5pm www.ashleyfurniturehomestore.com *On approved credit. Minimum purchase $1599. $99.99 Administration Fee. A $21 annual membership fee may be charged to your Account subject to certain conditions. Financing provided by CitiFinancial Canada, Inc. and is subject to all the terms and conditions in your cardholder agreement and the credit promotional plan disclosure statement (collectively the "Account Agreement"). The purchase price is divided by the number of months in the credit promotional period to determine equal monthly payments to be made during the credit promotional period. Finance Charges will not accrue on the purchase during the credit promotional period of 24 months if the required minimum payment is made each billing cycle during the credit promotional period when due. The terms of the credit promotional plan will terminate if you default under your Account Agreement. On termination or expiry of the credit promotional plan (or for purchases that are not part of the credit promotional plan), the standard APR of 29.99% and the terms of the regular credit plan will apply to all outstanding balances owing. This offer is valid up to and including 08/19/2013, cannot be used for previous purchases and cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or special incentive programs. Certain terms and conditions apply. See store and Account Agreement for further