Mindset

Mindset “The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. This is the mindset that allows people to thrive during some of the most challenging times in their lives.” -Carol S. Dweck http://www.huffingtonpost.com/salman-khan/the-learning-myth-why-ill_b_5691681.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000023

Learning From Mistakes Habit Fixed Growth Taking on Challenges   You feel that challenges are to be avoided. You look forward to challenges. Learning From Mistakes You see mistakes as failures. You may hide mistakes. You see mistakes as something you can overcome. You learn from them and apply what you learned. Accepting Feedback You feel that feedback is a reason to quit. You ask for feedback and use new strategies as a result. Practice You don’t practice and avoid it when you can. You see practice as a way of getting good at something. Perseverance (Focus) You stop trying at the first sign of trouble. You “stick with it” and keep working. Ask questions When confused, you don’t ask questions. You ask specific questions about the work you are doing. Taking Risks If something is too hard, you stop working. If something seems hard, you work on it knowing you may make errors.

What can we do to support our children? Talk about effort and process rather than talent and being smart. Help your children to see success and failure not as reward and punishment but as information. Keep in mind that children will face failure (social, academic, etc.) and learning from this is what’s important. If your child can’t do something, remember, Not YET. If winning means being a winner, than losing must mean being a loser!

Talking to Your Children and Mindsets "In a fixed mindset students believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that's that, and then their goal becomes to look smart all the time and never look dumb. In a growth mindset students understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching and persistence. They don't necessarily think everyone's the same or anyone can be Einstein, but they believe everyone can get smarter if they work at it.” (Carol Dweck, 2014) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc