promoting a

growth mindset In classroom counseling, students are learning about grit and building a growth mindset. we’ve learned it’s wrong to believe that intelligence is fixed and can’t change

fixed mindset

growth mindset

it takes grit

now we know that intelligence can change with hard work and persistence

that means we stick with a goal for the long term —pursuing it with passion— until we master it

what families can do have daily learning discussions

1

ask:

• What did you learn today? • What mistake did you make that taught you something? • What did you work hard on today?

2

• • • •

• You really worked hard today! • You tried all kinds of strategies on that math problem until you finally got it right! • It may take more time for you to catch on to this, but if you keep at it like this, you will!

give feedback on process only

praise:

Effort Persistence Strategies Seeking challenges

• Setting goals • Planning • Creativity

4

respond:

3

remind children that brains can grow!

say:

• Did you know brains can grow and intelligence can improve throughout your life? • Did you know learning changes our brains?

encourage taking risks, failing and learning from mistakes

do:

• Let your child fail, to strengthen the growth mindset and teach perseverance. • Celebrate the lessons your child learns from taking risks and failing. 5

encourage and model positive self-talk

instead of saying: • • • • • •

I’m not good at this. I give up. This is too hard. I can’t make this better. I just can’t do math. This is good enough.

• • • • • •

say this:

What am I missing? I’ll try some of the strategies we learned. This may take some time and effort. I can always improve, so I’ll keep trying. I will train my brain in math. Is this my best work?