This post is focused on GROWTH MINDSET.
A growth mindset occurs when we believe our intelligence and abilities can be improved with effort and the right strategies. In contrast, those with a fixed mindset believe their intelligence and abilities cannot be altered in a meaningful way. Here is a graphic on fixed mindset vs. growth mindset.
Carol Dweck is the pioneer of growth mindset and discovered that brain activity was off the charts whenever mistakes were being made. She scientifically proved that mistakes help our brains grow! Here is her Ted Talk on growth mindset called “The Power of Yet”. I highly recommend watching it:
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON LANGUAGE: I am noticing more and more students coming into my classrooms with fixed mindsets. They already think that they CAN’T do something by the time they enter Grade 2! Carol Dweck says that it is important to compliment a child’s effort as opposed to the outcome. We need to repeat to our children that mistakes help our brains grow and give them the opportunity to fail. In my classroom, I will often clap when a student is brave enough to make a mistake because their brains just grew and this is something to celebrate!
The other phrase that is important to repeat with your child is that they are not able to do something YET. No one is good at things right away and they should not expect themselves to be either.
FUN WAYS TO SUPPORT AT HOME (Click on the images for links):
Class Dojo has made a fab series on growth mindset. You can watch these videos with your child and discuss them with the talking points. Kids love these videos and you can continue to reference them for years to come.
Books! There are so many books that support the concept of growth mindset. Big Life Journal has great resources for growth mindset and put together a great list of books. You can snatch them from your local library or google to see if you can find online versions. Please feel free to explore the website for their other free activities like this one >>>> here.
Colouring Pages – Speaking of colouring, here is a link to free growth mindset printables that your child can colour while they are listening to the podcast (or anytime of course!).
Here are some extra activities if you are wanting more.
I hope that you enjoy some of these growth mindset activities at home. Please let me know if I can support in any other way.
Have fun growing!
Cari