Learning with a Growth Mindset
Carol Dweck describes growth mindset as to be able to develop intelligence or talents
through dedication and hard work. This view encourages learning through risk taking and makes people flexible and adaptable to change around them. It is the capacity to “grow” and improve upon the existing skills. As opposed to a growth mindset, people with a fixed mindset believe that these basic qualities are fixed traits and hence, cannot be changed through efforts.
A growth mindset focuses on the learning, the techniques used, the strategies and the challenges rather than focusing on the accomplishments, the awards or the results. Contrary to the popular belief, where neurons in the brain stop developing and taking in new experiences after a certain age, is not entirely correct. The concept of neuroplasticity makes it clear that the brain never stops to “grow” and keeps embedding new skills.
Here are four ways to encourage children to adopt the growth mindset-
- The use of the word “yet”-
Carol Dweck in her book Mindset talked about the power of the word yet. “Yet” brings in the “can do” attitude which makes children realise that they still have a lot to learn. Adding the three letter word can do wonders in the mindset of children by changing a fixed mindset into a growth mindset. From saying “I can't paint” to “I can't paint, yet” and “I can't ride a bicycle” to “I can't ride a bicycle, yet” brings positive change in children. It makes them motivated, persistent and determined to learn and “grow”.
- Be a Role model-
As children tend to learn through observing, the role of caregivers and teachers is crucial. Young children mirror the behavior they see around themselves. Visualising and talking about the process of your own goals, the efforts and the hard work you put in and the challenges you face and the progress you have been making to achieve your goals, makes children know that abilities can be improved through hardwork and dedication and giving up is not the way to do things.
- Accept mistakes-
Accepting mistakes and demonstrating ways to learn from them is beneficial for children to learn from their own mistakes. A new task should be seen as a new opportunity to learn. Mistakes and setbacks should not discourage children to give up, rather children should be taught to accept their mistakes and learn from them. Help children find new strategies when they have exhausted all of theirs.
- Praising children-
Praising children for their hard work they put in a task rather than their intelligence, makes them want to work harder. Children who are praised for being smart develop a fixed mindset and keep believing that they are smart. While children who are praised for their dedication and the efforts learn more and work even harder. The praise puzzle test conducted by Stanford university researchers proves that the wrong kind of praise can hold children back from “growing”.
In The Atlantic’s interview, Carol Dweck said that “Caregivers have to provide an environment where the growth mindset of children could flourish...The idea of a growth mindset is to praise the learning process and not the outcome.”
Children with a growth mindset are not afraid of failures, they seek new opportunities and are passionate to nurture their minds with new experiences. It builds a strong foundation which ensures success in their future by using their potential to the maximum.. Having a growth mindset builds self esteem by becoming self accepting which results in better performance and lowers stress and anxiety.