Growth MindsetGrowth Mindset
Goal: As a district, our goal is to help our learners to have a “growth mindset”.
Purpose: To prepare students to be successful for life.
In room 502, we have been working towards changing our mindset from a “fixed” perspective into a “growth” perspective.
What is a “Growth Mindset”?
We used to think that our intelligence was fixed – meaning we were either smart or we weren’t. Scientists have proven again and again that simply is not true. Our brain acts like a muscle – the more we use it, the stronger (and smarter) our brain becomes!
- understanding that intelligence can be developed
- focus in on process rather than product
- working hard to learn more!
- Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc
A person with a “growth mindset” may do these things:
- embrace challenges
- give their best effort
- learn from feedback
- become inspired by other people’s successes
- believe their intelligence can change if they work hard
A person with a “fixed mindset” may do these things:
- avoid challenges
- give up easily
- ignore feedback
- is threatened by other people’s success
- try hard to appear as smart or capable as possible
“Kids tend to fare better when they regard intelligence and other abilities not as fixed traits that they either have or lack, but as attributes that can be improved through effort.”
How can YOU help your child??
- TALK ABOUT IT: Talk with your child about their day, but guide the discussion by asking questions like: – Did you make a mistake today? What did you learn? – What did you do that was difficult today?
- PRAISE THE PROCESS: Instead of saying, “You’re so smart!” praise effort, goal setting, persisting through challenges, or being creative. You can say something like: – “Wow! You must have worked really hard on this!”
- THE BRAIN CAN GROW!: Remind your child that their intelligence is not fixed. Remind them that when things are difficult, their brain grows if they persist through the challenge. Each time they learn something new, their brain is making new connections. Your child needs to know this is possible!
- HELP THEM CHANGE THEIR DIALOGUE: The way your child talks to themselfs makes a huge impact on their mindset. If they say, “This is too hard!” help them change that to “I can’t do this yet, but I will keep trying.” Give them the words to say when they are feeling defeated by modeling it yourself!
- ENCOURAGE FAILURE (say what?!): Your child needs to know that failure can (and often does) happen and it is okay! Remind them that each time they fail and try again, their brain is growing stronger! Don’t step in to prevent your child’s failure – this is how they learn to persevere in the face of challenges.
Goal: As a district, our goal is to help our learners to have a “growth mindset”.
Purpose: To prepare students to be successful for life.
In room 502, we have been working towards changing our mindset from a “fixed” perspective into a “growth” perspective.
What is a “Growth Mindset”?
We used to think that our intelligence was fixed – meaning we were either smart or we weren’t. Scientists have proven again and again that simply is not true. Our brain acts like a muscle – the more we use it, the stronger (and smarter) our brain becomes!
- understanding that intelligence can be developed
- focus in on process rather than product
- working hard to learn more!
- Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc
A person with a “growth mindset” may do these things:
- embrace challenges
- give their best effort
- learn from feedback
- become inspired by other people’s successes
- believe their intelligence can change if they work hard
A person with a “fixed mindset” may do these things:
- avoid challenges
- give up easily
- ignore feedback
- is threatened by other people’s success
- try hard to appear as smart or capable as possible
“Kids tend to fare better when they regard intelligence and other abilities not as fixed traits that they either have or lack, but as attributes that can be improved through effort.”
How can YOU help your child??
- TALK ABOUT IT: Talk with your child about their day, but guide the discussion by asking questions like: – Did you make a mistake today? What did you learn? – What did you do that was difficult today?
- PRAISE THE PROCESS: Instead of saying, “You’re so smart!” praise effort, goal setting, persisting through challenges, or being creative. You can say something like: – “Wow! You must have worked really hard on this!”
- THE BRAIN CAN GROW!: Remind your child that their intelligence is not fixed. Remind them that when things are difficult, their brain grows if they persist through the challenge. Each time they learn something new, their brain is making new connections. Your child needs to know this is possible!
- HELP THEM CHANGE THEIR DIALOGUE: The way your child talks to themselfs makes a huge impact on their mindset. If they say, “This is too hard!” help them change that to “I can’t do this yet, but I will keep trying.” Give them the words to say when they are feeling defeated by modeling it yourself!
- ENCOURAGE FAILURE (say what?!): Your child needs to know that failure can (and often does) happen and it is okay! Remind them that each time they fail and try again, their brain is growing stronger! Don’t step in to prevent your child’s failure – this is how they learn to persevere in the face of challenges.
