Episode 004: Turn “Pedestal Kids” Into Gritty Kids By Implementing Growth Mindset

CLICK HERE for the 45 minute Webinar.

CLICK HERE for the Guided Notes, Mini-Lessons and other resources.

• About 30 years ago, Stanford University psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck and her colleagues began researching attitudes about failure. Those findings led to more research that showed a student’s underlying beliefs (mindset) about learning and intelligence significantly impacted motivation and achievement.
• Dweck coined the terms “growth mindset” and “fixed mindset” to provide a frame for her research that could be more easily understood. 
• Students with a growth mindset tend to embrace challenges, persist in the face of obstacles, and see effort as the path to mastery. In math class, these are the students who will attempt a problem that they’ve never seen before rather than obsess over “getting it right.” 
• These students recognize that mistakes are opportunities for growth and don’t define us. Children who adopt a growth mindset feel comfortable making mistakes and learning from them.
• On the other hand, students with a fixed mindset believe their talents, abilities, and intelligence are fixed traits. 
• They believe that success is possible with talent alone. 
• These students tend to have a desire to “look smart.” As a result, they often avoid challenges, give up easily in the face of obstacles, and see effort as a waste of time.
• These students might say, “I’m not good at math” or “I’m not really a math person.” This way of thinking offers a built-in excuse to put forth less effort and give up easily when faced with a problem that seems too difficult. 
• Excuse = Less Effort

Effectively teach Growth Mindset by focusing on four areas: 

• Scope

• Environment

• Language

• Teach Brain Plasticity

• Mini-Lessons

CLICK HERE for the 45 minute Webinar.

CLICK HERE for the Guided Notes, Mini-Lessons and other resources.

If you implement these strategies at your school, I would love to hear from you! Send me a quick note at [email protected] and tell me about it. I can answer your questions and I’m also good at giving pep talks when you get stuck!