I've always thought the idea of adults constantly praising kids is stupid. Even worse is when they do it to each other. I remember a time in 8th grade gym class, we were playing baseball. A girl was up on bat, every time she swings and miss the girls on the side would say "good try, good try" and applaud her. In my head, I thought, "that was shit--it wasn't anywhere close to being good." I bumped into a few of them last year. Needless to say, they're not faring very well.
And, as always, George Carlin's words rings true.