Good summary of the research and data that explains the science behind this idea -- a key component of the PD conversation with teachers when discussing how we can implement this as a school-wide tool for communication & feedback
Being mindful about how you praise your child can help your child foster a growth mindset and boost his or her motivation, resilience and learning
Citing specific behaviors such as the amount of time spent or the approach your learner is taking to figure out the task enables the child to connect their actions with results. Additionally, the praise needs to be sincere, otherwise your kid will discredit all praise – insincere and sincere.
The parent perspective is key part of a meaningful conversation on mindset, especially in the learning environment. Trying to shift the focus away from marks alone -- towards the effort, energy and experience of learning is significant. It is also not easy. I've included articles like this as part of the parent communication piece on how we are implementing a growth mindset perspective.
“I’m proud of you for sticking with it and taking the time to understand the concepts you’re trying to learn.”
“I noticed you spent a lot of time figuring out your homework – I’m happy that you’re so dedicated. Let’s work together to figure out what you don’t understand.”
“When you ask questions to figure out what you’re doing, I appreciate your curiosity.” or “It makes us happy that we can discuss these activities.” – show your child that you value curiosity, intellectually stimulating conversations and the exploration of ideas.
“You’re too old to learn a foreign language.”
“I couldn’t work on computers. I’m just not good with them.”
“I’m not smart enough to run my own business.”
Do you know what these statements have in common? They’re all examples of the fixed mindset- the belief that intelligence, ability, and success are static qualities that can’t be changed.
The problem is, this mindset will make you complacent, rob your self-esteem and bring meaningful education to a halt.
In short, it’s an intellectual disease and patently untrue.
I love the word 'earned'. Skills don't come easily, you have to really work for them.
Talents are innate. Skills are earned.
Within a fixed framework, progress is impossible.
fixed mindset
the growth mindset,
a malleable approach to the world
believe that at a certain point, what you have is all you’re ever going to have:
“You’re too old to learn a foreign language.”
fixed mindset, you believe that at a certain point, what you have is all you’re ever going to have
In conversation, “skill” and “talent” are often used interchangeably – but there’s an essential difference: Talents are innate. Skills are earned.
he growth mindset is the opposite of the fixed: It thrives on challenge and sees failure as an opportunity for growth. It creates a passion for learning instead of a hunger for approval.
The growth mindset is the opposite of the fixed: It thrives on challenge and sees failure as an opportunity for growth. It creates a passion for learning instead of a hunger for approval.
“The growth mindset does allow people to love what they’re doing – and continue to love it in the face of difficulties. … The growth mindset allows people to value what they’re doing regardless of the outcome.”
Remember those students in Hong Kong. Be humble, act as if you’re remedial, and you’ll learn all the more!
In conversation, “skill” and “talent” are often used interchangeably – but there’s an essential difference: Talents are innate. Skills are earned.
As much as possible, take object orientation out of the equation. Focus on the task at hand. Don’t compare yourself to others or worry if you’re making the knowledge stick. Just learn- stolidly, patiently, and without tripping over your own expectations.
Focusing on innate qualities and praising purely for current ability inhibits learning, while praising the process of learning and growth instead of immediate talent promotes it.
Expert coaches uniformly avoid overloading performers with too much or too technical information. They tell the performers one important thing they noticed that, if changed, will
likely yield immediate and noticeable improvement ("I was confused about who was talking in the dialogue you wrote in this paragraph"). They don't offer
advice until they make sure the performer understands the importance of what they saw.
I say "in most cases" to allow for situations like playing a piano piece in a recital. I
don't want my teacher or the audience barking out feedback as I perform. That's why it is more precise to say that good feedback is "timely"
rather than "immediate."
eedback is often used to describe all kinds of comments made after the fact, including advice, praise, and evaluation
Whether the feedback was in the observable effects or from other people, in every case the information received was not advice,
Guidance would be premature; I first need to receive feedback on what I did or didn't do that would warrant such
advice.
Whether feedback is just there to be grasped or is provided by another person,
Formative assessment, consisting of lots of feedback and
opportunities to use that feedback, enhances performance and achievement
Decades of education research support the idea that by teaching less and providing more feedback, we can
produce greater learning
Whether feedback is just there to be grasped or is provided by another person, helpful feedback is goal-referenced; tangible and transparent; actionable; user-friendly (specific
and personalized); timely; ongoing; and consistent.
feedback is information about how we are doing in our efforts to reach a goal.
by teaching less and providing more feedback, we can
produce greater learning
The most ubiquitous form of evaluation, grading, is so much a part of the school landscape that we easily overlook its utter uselessness as actionable feedback.