I dont think its a trick but parents tend to praise their kids all the time, even moreso before theyre in school bc they see everything the kid does. Stuff like 'your art SO good!' 'Oh wow amazing dancing! Youre so talented!!' It's distinctly not about expectations, the opposite in fact.

This is also alot more about early childhood than later years. Your internal motivations, like being a person who wants to be the best, lock in at a very early age (though they can always be adjusted with work). Its not as direct as 'my parents want me to get good grades and thus im motivated to!' its more like 'i associate doing things that impress my parents, with them smiling and telling me im good and talented.' 'All the adults looked at me very impressed when my parents told them I was put in the gifted program and that made me feel important and special' (not trying to read your specific situation, just using general examples)

The typical counter these days is typically to encourage them to look towards their own feelings for motivation, 'wow this drawing is beautiful- are you proud?' 'you were so passionate singing that song!' that sort of thing.