Unlocking Children's Potential Part 2

The growth mindset opens a path of continual development. Moved by a growth mindset, a child isn’t discouraged by difficulties in Mathematics, or raising his hand and getting the answer wrong, because his intelligence will increase, he believes. And it does. His mind grows strong.

This mindset is really a belief one holds about themselves, a belief that is consistent with truths from psychology and neuroscience. Intellectual intelligence can be increased, what seems an obstacle today, can hardly seem so tomorrow, if one is willing to persevere.

The earlier we can coach a growth mindset, the better it is for the future man or woman. Beliefs strengthen with years. And how then, do we help children develop this mind set?

1.Be an illustration of the Growth Mindset. Model a growth mindset in the way you talk and act. Children are born into the world as imitators. Let them see that are you are not afraid to fail, that you expect to improve through practice. Attempt what is challenging, follow that intimidating recipe, build your own fence, make your own bread. And if something goes wrong, let the children hear “This didn’t go as I had hoped, but that’s ok, I will learn from this, and the next time, I will do it better” and if the children were part of the process say, “This didn’t go as we had hoped, what can we learn from this attempt, that will help us in the future?”.

2.Praise effort Instead of Intelligence. Dr Carol Dweck, a developmental psychologist, encourages parents to praise children's effort instead of their intelligence. When parents say:

“You learned that so quickly! You’re so smart!”

You’re so brilliant, you got an A without even studying!”,

Dr Dweck says what children really hear is:

“If I don’t learn something quickly, I’m not smart.”

“I’d better quit studying or they won’t think I’m brilliant.”

Praising intelligence can actually harm children. To protect the labels bestowed on them— brilliant, smart— children end up avoiding hard things that would shatter their given labels. In other words, to remain “smart” they grow to avoid things that would make them look otherwise. But when children's efforts are praised:

“You must have worked hard”

“I like how you persevered with this homework. It required attention and persistence.”

Children learn that success comes through effort and commitment. And if they meet a difficulty in the future, they’ll know with well directed effort, it can be met. Coach a growth mindset today!