According to the general consensus, intellect is fixed, and while some people are inherently excellent at specific jobs, others struggle with the same. Adults and kids alike have this mentality, which is to blame people not constantly learning new things or improving themselves. In the past few decades, researchers have learned that intellect can be enhanced and that a person’s capacity for learning may be greatly influenced by their mentality. Growth mindset is a theory developed as a result of what psychologists have discovered about how our minds function. For all the information on how to develop it, keep reading.
What do we mean by a growth mindset?
Carol Dweck created the growth mindset theory after thorough research revealed that kids who persisted despite difficulties thought they might do better or progress. Children who retreated from challenges, contrarily, thought they were incapable of developing their skills.
The idea is relevant to every aspect of learning. One aspect where it’s particularly obvious is in writing. If students believe they are poor writers, they will give up attempting to get better after receiving poor grades on certain assignments. This is referred to as a stuck attitude. However, a growth mentality is demonstrated if they think they can steadily advance and expand their writing abilities.
Everybody has both a fixed and a growth mindset in all aspects of their existence. The majority of it depends on the kinds of experiences we’ve had and the comments we’ve received; we haven’t carved it all in stone. It takes more than just being open-minded and accepting of criticism to have a growth mindset. Additionally, developing ways to get better in the areas of life where we fall short entails reflecting from experiences and putting the criticism to use. Most importantly, it thinks that even after numerous failures, success is still achievable.
Why is a growth mindset important for children?
A growth mindset in kids must be encouraged as:-
- It helps in increasing hunger for knowledge and learning.
- It helps in achieving better performance in examinations.
- It helps prepare them for the upcoming challenges in life.
- It reduces risk of mental health concerns with stress like depression and anxiety.
- It promotes an inquisitiveness that helps connect with more people with a growth mindset.
How to develop a growth mindset in kids?
Following are certain tips that can aid the process of developing a growth mindset in your kids:-
Redefine failure and encourage acceptance
Risking failure and making the wrong decision when trying something new. But nothing worthwhile has ever been created or discovered without first making a mistake and then fixing it. Teaching kids that it’s alright to make mistakes will empower them to take on any challenge and instil confidence in their ability to succeed.
Encourage experiments and new perceptions
The majority of issues that they run across at school or during any activity can be solved in more than one way. Encourage them to try another approach if the one they are using isn’t working. Even though you might be inclined to suggest it, let them brainstorm for it instead.
Encourage solving harder problems
An excellent strategy to encourage kids to take on issues that call for a methodical approach is to give them significant mathematical problems that involve several steps and are modest challenges in and of themselves. Answers that result from memorising facts of the technique lack the confidence and mental agility that are developed through the solution of these kinds of issues.
Let them learn from making more mistakes
It’s crucial that they understand that making errors is a necessary component of learning. Children who solve issues quickly demonstrate that they are already familiar with the solutions. While it is more likely to make a mistake when trying to solve a difficult problem for the very first time. Teach them to repeat, “Mistakes help me grow,” whenever they make a mistake.
Help develop problem-solving skills
The methods used to solve problems can differ from one child to another. Thus, getting a response requires more than merely following a set of instructions. Teach them to consider the factors that led them to choose one strategy over another. For instance, do they have a written solution or do they first paint a solution before putting it into practice?
Prioritise efforts over results.
Even if the goal of every work is to produce a result, learning can occasionally suffer from a result-oriented emphasis that is too intense. Teach them that the effort is more important than the outcome, so they should give it their all.
Promote a persistent attitude
Every chance you get, express your appreciation for their perseverance and efforts. It doesn’t always have to be praise; just a simple statement like “I know you’ve been working hard” can do.
Marigold International School acknowledges that a growth mindset needs to be developed over time and encourages students to do so at all steps. Our innovative and action-oriented teaching approach helps students to grab the concept sooner in life to make the most out of every opportunity that comes their way.
