From: https://classteaching.wordpress.com/page/4/?app-download=ios |
Unfortunately the fixed mindset seems to be the one of choice. It allows us to easily set goals and assign targets for our children to attain. I cannot remember the number of times I have been asked to offer a quick fix to get the IB grade of 7 or max out the marks in one task or criteria or whatever. Unfortunately we soon pass this idea onto our children. Learning becomes an accumulation of bits of knowledge at the expense of looking at the expense of real understanding. A couple of years ago I was talking with a girl in her final year of the IB program. Her total focus was on grades and saw review of past papers as the best and only option. I just wondered what would be the response if a question appeared that was slightly different and required thinking and understanding instead of simple recall? It came, she became anxious and complained about the questions - however, on close examination of the teaching guide it became evident that there was nothing wrong with the question. It was the fixed mindset of the student that was the problem.
In essence, I feel a growth mindset centres on the idea that there are always things to learn. If you believe that you can attempt a challenge then you will gain some mastery of it. How many times I have heard the expression "David is so clever" from a parent or other member of a community? This implies and sends a message to "David" that he has gained success and does not really need to continue gaining skills. In plain language its like ticking a box - done that! I don't have to worry about it and can move on. The only problem is he will soon get into the fixed mindset mode with all of the negatives that are attached. To me its like watching the development (in particular physical and sporting) of students - the early bloomers dominate early and the late bloomers arrive at the 'money time'. I have seen many early bloomers go from the front to the rear of the pack during their time at school. I have even witnessed some totally lose interest in an area that was previously their strength.
Praise is an integral part of growth and we all actively seek it. Why not say "that was well done" or "some clever thinking going on" instead? Praising the process, tends to push the child's thinking towards learning more, and they see many possible answers. It also promotes and rewards creativity, and that is a real positive. We all know that there are usually more than one way to solve a problem, and allowing children to try to develop strategies that could solve the problem is always beneficial. Our role as a parents to support and advise without taking over, and as always communication is the key. Using language such as "I like your thinking, but have you thought about trying ....." rather than "I would do it this way" will value the child's thinking (think praise)!
As I previously stated, the language we use is paramount if you are to develop a growth mindset in your child. Take care with what you say both before and after "the event". How many times I have heard a well-meaning parent ask their child "are you sure you want to do this?" or maybe "you should try this later/next week/when you have learned the basics". Its a given that we all want to protect our child from harm or danger, but is it really sending the right message? The two examples I have used in this paragraph tell the child they are not ready and they are not up to it. It is essentially labelling them as failures - an effectively making a fixed mindset in them. This is when you have to ask yourself whether it is better to shelter them or allow them to try
A growth mindset in essence concentrates on the process rather than the destination. It sees life as an ongoing series of challenges that are similar but different. So a growth mindset provides mechanisms to help us do this. Developing a fixed mindset does tend to break life into little steps. Well that's ok, but as we all know, life really is about repetition and doing similar problems over and over again. A person with a fixed mindset will lose interest and not adapt to similar challenges as quickly or efficiently as a person with a growth mindset.
I wonder if I :
- really encourage a growth mindset in my children?
- really model the importance of a growth mindset to my children?
- really use the language that will help my child develop a growth mindset and greater resilience?
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