Why Growth Mindset Matthew Syed Fixed Mindset People

Why Growth Mindset?

Matthew Syed

Fixed Mindset People with a fixed mindset: believe that their traits are just givens they have a certain amount of ability and talent and nothing can change that if they have a lot, they’re all set, but if they don’t. . . so people in this mindset worry about their traits and how adequate they are they have something to prove to themselves and others

Growth Mindset Will stretch themselves, take risks and learn. Bring on the challenges! Will this allow me to grow? Will it help me overcome my challenges? I failed (action) so I will try harder next time Embraces challenges – persists in the face of setbacks Understands implicitly that growth and learning takes effort Learns from criticisms. How can I improve? Finds lessons and inspiration in other people’s success Reach ever higher levels of achievement

What mindset are you? First Attempt In Learning

What does this mean in school? FIXED Children who are scared to fail Children who will not push themselves Children who can not take constructive criticism Children who give up easily when things are hard Children who compare themselves to others – know their ‘rank’ in the class Children who avoid things they find hard Children who make excuses when things go wrong – It can’t be their fault Get their sense of achievement from the final outcome

What does this mean in school? GROWTH Children who don’t just seek challenge, they thrive on it Children who love to stretch themselves Show the same level of interest even when they find the work very challenging Mistakes and failures are opportunities to learn This is hard, this is fun! Get their sense of achievement from the effort it took – I worked hard at this!

What we are doing in school Praising the process not the end product You must feel very proud, you worked so hard on this You found this hard but you persevered, well done! This isn’t challenging you much, let’s make it harder! I know you felt like giving up, but you didn’t and that is excellent Don’t label – you are so clever, naughty, a natural…. Celebrate mistakes! The Power of Yet! There are no failures, just a step towards success Constructive feedback – how to do it better High expectations for effort and perseverance Teaching how the brain works and how we learn

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO? Remember the power of yet! Praise the process, the effort and determination they showed Praise how hard they worked Remind them that practice will strengthen their neural pathways Help children to take responsibility for their own learning and progress Daily learning discussions Encourage risk taking and learning from mistakes

Encourage and model positive self talk Do you have a growth mindset? Do you model this or do you say statements like ‘I was no good at maths’ or ‘I can’t cook!’ Listen for the messages you are giving You learnt that so quickly! You’re so clever! (‘If I don’t learn something quickly, I can’t be clever’) Look at that drawing you did! You’re going to be the next Picasso! (‘I mustn’t try drawing something hard or they’ll realise I’m not that good’) You’re so brilliant, you get an A without even studying! (‘If I have to study next time, they won’t think I’m brilliant’)

http: //onetimethrough. com/agrowth-mindset-parenting-self -assessment/

What have you learnt? What will you do differently Additional resources ‘Mindset: How you can fulfill your potential’ by Carol Dweck ‘Bounce’ by Matthew Syed ‘Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us’ by Daniel H Pink ‘Your Fantastic Elastic Brain’ by Deak Joan ‘The Dot’ by Peter H Reynolds

Scenario for workshop Your child comes home from school saying she feels wasn’t given the most challenging work and found the work easy.

Scenario for workshop Your child says nobody plays with him at playtime.

Scenario for workshop Your child completed their homework quickly, skipping several questions and answering others in a short, imprecise way. How do you respond?

Scenario for workshop Your year R child says to you, “I was counting and I missed out the number 8 and now I feel sad. ”

Scenario for workshop As a child, you really loved sport and you want your child to love it too and get as much pleasure from it as you did. Your child shows no interest in sport beyond school.

Scenario for workshop Your child fails an exam and is devastated, feeling she’s let you down.

Scenario for workshop Lots of children in the class get invited to a birthday party. Your child thinks she’s the only one who didn’t get an invitation

Scenario for workshop Your child has worked really hard on their homework but has got it wrong.

Scenario for workshop Your child won’t read at home. How can you encourage?