Growth Mindset

I am committed to developing a growth mindset school environment -- a place where all students believe that with effort and perseverance, they can succeed. Please use this page and links to learn more.

Dr. Carol Dweck, a researcher at Standford University, has identified two belief systems about intelligence, a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. A fixed mindset in one where we believe that our innate abilities, talents, and intelligence are fixed. We are either "good" or talented at something or we are not. We can certainly learn new things, but a particular skill or subject may really not our "thing." Conversely, a growth mindset is the belief that intelligence, skills, and talent are malleable, and they can change with effort, perseverance, and practice. Neuroscience explains this as neuroplaticity. We can all get "smarter."

Learning From Failure - From the moment our children are born, we want to protect them. Our instincts are to catch them before they fail. It is not easy seeing our children not have success in whatever goal they are working toward--from learning to walk to getting into their first choice of college. But in order to raise risilient, optomistic, confident children, we must learn to be comfortable when they struggle, make mistakes, and/or fail. When children are given opportunities to struggle, it builds resiliency. Without struggle, it is difficult to develop coping skills and grit. As parents, we must model this as well; let your kids see you being persistent and overcoming challenges--not quitting because something is "too hard."

Helping your child tap into their growth mindset can have such a positive effect on thier overall experiences with learning and growth. Please follow the link below to learn more about the growth mindset and the best practices to help develop this learning belief in your child.

"Mindset Kit" for parents (clickable)