Thanks for the link, Martelo. I've read this same advice in other parenting articles.
I have banished such phrases as "what a good boy" and "what a smart boy" and "you're a good helper/fill-in-the-blank" from my interactions with S4, and I really notice it when grandma or another well-meaning person makes one of those statements. I try to reference the specific job he did -- "you did a great job on that drawing of a tree" or "thank you for helping me clear the table."
The other advice I've read is not to tell the child that *every* drawing or effort is a great job, but to say it only when you really do think that it is an outstanding job. Then the praise actually means something and the child continues working to improve his skills and to learn new ones.
