To study the effect of motivating statements on the achievement of young children, a group of 52 first grade boys and girls was randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was assigned a verbal task and given positive motivation on their ability to accomplish the task. The control group was merely given the assignment. Results of the t test indicated significantly higher task performances among the experimental group (p<05). These differences remained significant when studied separately for boys and girls, respectively. (Author/MS)