Growth Mindset & The Power of "Yet"

Have you ever heard your child say things like, "I can't do math. I'm not smart enough", or "I'll never be as good as her"? That's called having a Fixed Mindset! In our classroom this year, one of my main goals is to help build and support a positive learning community, and in doing so, help students develop their own Growth Mindset philosophies. In short, having a Fixed Mindset means that you believe intelligence is fixed, and that effort does not have anything to do with success. On the other hand, having a Growth Mindset means that you believe that your intelligence can be developed, and you believe in the power of "yet" (I can't do that...YET). Here's an infographic outlining what it means to have a Fixed vs. Growth Mindset.

In class, we began by learning specifically about the two mindsets, and discussing how we all have Fixed Mindsets about something! We watched a short clip about our brain's elasticity, and what happens to our brain when we continuously do easy things, and what also happens when we continuously choose to challenge ourselves. Ask your child at home!  In pairs we talked about the wall posters (pictured below) and how we can use them in our daily language.

Since this discussion, we have been referring to "mindset moments" constantly! I love how students have been reminding each other when they hear Fixed Mindset talk, and how they recommend a new way to approach a challenging situation.  Each week, we will spend a few moments referring to this philosophy. I hope this new way of thinking inspires you to notice when you may have a Fixed Mindset, and encourages you to approach learning and effort in a different way.