In this presentation we will explain: What Growth Mindset is. Why it is important to foster a Growth Mindset. What we are doing in school around the subject of Growth Mindset. How you as parents can help.

From failure we learn. From success, not so much. (Lewis, in Meet the Robinsons). Think of something you have achieved in your life that you are proud of. What obstacles did you have to overcome?

…Mindset… ‘The hallmark of successful individuals is that they love learning, they seek challenges, they value effort, and they persist in the face of obstacles.’ (Carol Dweck 2000)

In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success—without effort. There are 2 types of mindset…

People with a Fixed Mindset : Ignore criticism, believing it is pointless as talent and intelligence are pre-determined and they are already the best they can be. Avoid challenge and obstacles and are threatened by the success of others so may cheat because they believe that results determine the individual.

The fixed mindset creates an internal monologue that is focused on judging: “This means I’m a loser.” “This means I’m a better person than they are.” “This means I’m a bad husband.” “This means my partner is selfish.”

People with a Growth Mindset : Embrace criticism and use it to improve. Thrive on challenge and obstacles. Are inspired by the successes of others.

In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.

People with a growth mindset are also constantly monitoring what’s going on, but their internal monologue is not about judging themselves and others in this way. They’re tuned into learning and constructive action: “What can I learn from this?” “How can I improve?” “How can I help my partner do this better?”

Why is it important to foster a Growth Mindset?

The children we are teaching today, are being educated for a world which doesn’t yet exist…

Recent studies have predicted that children starting school today could have up to 40 jobs in their lifetime. It is our responsibility as teachers and parents to equip our children with the necessary life-skills to survive and adapt to an ever-changing world.

This is what we’ve done so far…

Across both schools: We have: Attended 2 training sessions with more to follow. Gathered information to obtain pupil voice. Set up new houses with attitudes and effort being rewarded rather than outcome. We will be: Looking at how the language used to children in school impacts on their learning.

How can you as parents help?

Try not to… say you’re rubbish at Maths or things like “I could never do that at school either!”

…Wise Praise… 1.Praise the effort not the ability (say what you notice). 2.Praise in specifics – don’t generalise. 3.Praise authentically and not too much. 1.Praise ‘now that’ not ‘if / then’ (now that you’ve got that…) 2.Praise behaviour, not the child.

Nadia – a fine example of growth mindset