Developing Mindsets that Developing Mindsets that Promote GrowthPromote Growth

Adrian HayesAdrian Hayes

National Board Certified TeacherNational Board Certified Teacher

Gifted Resource, Kempsville Middle SchoolGifted Resource, Kempsville Middle School

Virginia Beach, VAVirginia Beach, VA

Session GoalsSession Goals

We will:We will: Discuss the difference between fixed and Discuss the difference between fixed and

growth mindsets.growth mindsets. Learn how and why mindsets influence Learn how and why mindsets influence

student achievement.student achievement. Understand why self-efficacy is more Understand why self-efficacy is more

important than self-esteem, and how important than self-esteem, and how praise can hurt student achievement.praise can hurt student achievement.

Learn how to respond to your child’s Learn how to respond to your child’s successes and failures in a way that successes and failures in a way that promotes growth.promotes growth.

What do we mean by What do we mean by “mindset”?“mindset”?

Mindsets are the assumptions and Mindsets are the assumptions and expectations we have for ourselves expectations we have for ourselves and others. These attitudes guide and others. These attitudes guide

our behavior and influence our our behavior and influence our responses to daily events. responses to daily events.

- Dr. Robert Brooks- Dr. Robert Brooks

What’s your mindset?What’s your mindset?

Take a few minutes to respond to this Take a few minutes to respond to this mindset quiz. mindset quiz.

Try not to overanalyze the questions – Try not to overanalyze the questions – just respond quickly and honestly.just respond quickly and honestly.

Quiz adapted from “The Curse of the ‘Smart’ Student” at Quiz adapted from “The Curse of the ‘Smart’ Student” at

extremebiology.net.extremebiology.net.

What’s your mindset?What’s your mindset?

Give yourself 4 points each time you Give yourself 4 points each time you answered AGREE to these questions:answered AGREE to these questions:

1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 101, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10

Subtract two points for each time you Subtract two points for each time you answered AGREE to these questions:answered AGREE to these questions:

2, 5, 82, 5, 8

What’s your mindset?What’s your mindset?

If you scored:If you scored: less than 5, you have a growth less than 5, you have a growth

mindset.mindset. between 5-10, you have a growth between 5-10, you have a growth

mindset with some fixed ideas.mindset with some fixed ideas. between 11-15, you have a mostly between 11-15, you have a mostly

fixed mindset.fixed mindset. above 15, you have a solidly fixed above 15, you have a solidly fixed

mindset.mindset.

What does this mean?What does this mean?

According to Stanford According to Stanford University psychologist University psychologist

Carol Dweck, success is Carol Dweck, success is not determined by not determined by innate talents and innate talents and intellect. Rather, intellect. Rather,

success depends upon success depends upon mindset – the degree to mindset – the degree to

which we believe we which we believe we have the capacity to have the capacity to

cultivate our intelligence cultivate our intelligence and grow our abilities.and grow our abilities.

(Click on image for video link.)(Click on image for video link.)

Mindsets: Not Just IntellectMindsets: Not Just Intellect

People embrace fixed or growth mindsets People embrace fixed or growth mindsets about all of their qualities, not just about all of their qualities, not just

intelligence. Many people believe that intelligence. Many people believe that our other qualities – creativity, artistic our other qualities – creativity, artistic ability, athleticism, personality traits – ability, athleticism, personality traits – are qualities with which we are born … are qualities with which we are born … or not. However, Carol Dweck asserts or not. However, Carol Dweck asserts

that any and all of these qualities can be that any and all of these qualities can be cultivated. cultivated.

Fixed and Growth MindsetsFixed and Growth Mindsets

Why might our gifted children be Why might our gifted children be especially vulnerable to fixed-especially vulnerable to fixed-

mindset thinking?mindset thinking?

When do you feel smart?When do you feel smart?

Fixed mindset:Fixed mindset: ““When I don’t make When I don’t make

any mistakes.”any mistakes.” ““It’s when I finish It’s when I finish

first and it’s first and it’s perfect.”perfect.”

““When something is When something is easy for me and easy for me and others can’t do it.”others can’t do it.”

Growth mindset:Growth mindset: ““When it’s really When it’s really

hard, and I try hard, hard, and I try hard, and I can do and I can do something I couldn’t something I couldn’t before.”before.”

““When I work on When I work on something a long something a long time and finally time and finally figure it out.”figure it out.”

What’s the big deal?What’s the big deal?

Fixed-mindset thinking results in:Fixed-mindset thinking results in: a false sense of superiority, undermined a false sense of superiority, undermined

by a deep sense of self-doubt.by a deep sense of self-doubt. a fear of failure; refusal to take risks.a fear of failure; refusal to take risks. a feeling that failure permanently a feeling that failure permanently

defines you as a loser.defines you as a loser. a need to prove yourself again and a need to prove yourself again and

again.again.

What’s the big deal?What’s the big deal?

Fixed-mindset thinking results in:Fixed-mindset thinking results in: the belief that only untalented, ungifted the belief that only untalented, ungifted

people have to work for success; effort people have to work for success; effort somehow reduces you.somehow reduces you.

a need for validation and reassurance in a need for validation and reassurance in labels (“smart,” “jock”) – whether earned or labels (“smart,” “jock”) – whether earned or not. not.

a desire to blame others or outside a desire to blame others or outside circumstances when things don’t go your circumstances when things don’t go your way.way.

The Fixed MindsetThe Fixed Mindset

How does Calvin demonstrate the fixed How does Calvin demonstrate the fixed mindset?mindset?

Growth MindsetGrowth Mindset

Growth-mindset thinking results in:Growth-mindset thinking results in: a love for learning and self-improvement.a love for learning and self-improvement. a desire to be challenged.a desire to be challenged. a willingness to work for positive results.a willingness to work for positive results. a belief that you can control the outcomes in a belief that you can control the outcomes in

your life with effort and practice.your life with effort and practice. the ability to learn from mistakes and the ability to learn from mistakes and

failures. failures. emotional resilience. emotional resilience.

Process, Not ProductProcess, Not Product

How do you respond when your child succeeds? How do you respond when your child succeeds? What about when he fails?What about when he fails?

(Click on image for video link.)(Click on image for video link.)

The Power of PraiseThe Power of Praise

If we want our children to believe in If we want our children to believe in their potential, how can we encourage their potential, how can we encourage

them? How can we build their them? How can we build their confidence and self-esteem?confidence and self-esteem?

In one study, 80% of parents said it is In one study, 80% of parents said it is necessary to praise a child’s ability in necessary to praise a child’s ability in

order to foster confidence.order to foster confidence.(Click on image at right for video link.)(Click on image at right for video link.)

What is Self-Efficacy?What is Self-Efficacy?

Self-efficacy is the belief that you are Self-efficacy is the belief that you are capable of accomplishing the things capable of accomplishing the things

you set out to do. you set out to do.

A healthy self-esteem results when a A healthy self-esteem results when a child has a strong sense of self-child has a strong sense of self-

efficacy. This comes from actual efficacy. This comes from actual earned accomplishments, not piled-earned accomplishments, not piled-

on praise.on praise.

Self-Efficacy vs. Self-EsteemSelf-Efficacy vs. Self-Esteem

Students who demonstrate self-Students who demonstrate self-efficacy are more successful than efficacy are more successful than

students who have an inflated self-students who have an inflated self-esteem (high confidence). esteem (high confidence).

What can I do?What can I do?

10 Parenting Tips for 10 Parenting Tips for Fostering the Growth MindsetFostering the Growth Mindset

1. Practice what you preach.1. Practice what you preach.

Model growth-mindset thinking with Model growth-mindset thinking with your child. your child.

Explain how you deal with challenges Explain how you deal with challenges and how you continue to learn. and how you continue to learn.

Don’t label yourself in ways that Don’t label yourself in ways that demonstrate a fixed mindset:demonstrate a fixed mindset: ““I’m a terrible cook.”I’m a terrible cook.” ““I always had trouble in math too.”I always had trouble in math too.”

2. Emphasize the joy of 2. Emphasize the joy of learning for learning’s sake.learning for learning’s sake.

Talk about your student’s interests and Talk about your student’s interests and how he or she is responding to the how he or she is responding to the curriculum – not just, “How did you do on curriculum – not just, “How did you do on that test?”that test?”

When discussing school, talk about When discussing school, talk about learning as a means for personal reward, learning as a means for personal reward, growth, intellectual challenge, and growth, intellectual challenge, and opportunity – not as a means to earn a opportunity – not as a means to earn a grade or get into a great college. grade or get into a great college.

3. Set appropriately high 3. Set appropriately high expectations and provide expectations and provide

support.support. Lowering standards does not raise Lowering standards does not raise

self-esteem.self-esteem. Expectations should focus on habits, Expectations should focus on habits,

effort, and growth, not grades.effort, and growth, not grades. Provide students with needed Provide students with needed

supports (extra help, additional supports (extra help, additional resources). Don’t assume that “you resources). Don’t assume that “you could do it easily if you just tried could do it easily if you just tried harder.” harder.”

4. Be mindful of the goals you 4. Be mindful of the goals you set for your children and the set for your children and the

messages they send.messages they send. Work with your child to set goals that Work with your child to set goals that

are reasonable and desirable for both are reasonable and desirable for both of you.of you.

All goals should emphasize growth – All goals should emphasize growth – the development of a skill or the the development of a skill or the expanding of knowledge. Having expanding of knowledge. Having innate talent is not a goal your child innate talent is not a goal your child can work toward. can work toward.

5. Praise effort, practice, and 5. Praise effort, practice, and process – not outcome.process – not outcome.

When your child succeeds, talk about When your child succeeds, talk about the work that went into the success. the work that went into the success.

Praise persistence and perseverance. Praise persistence and perseverance. Focus on the positive habits your Focus on the positive habits your child practiced and the choices she child practiced and the choices she made which led up to the success. made which led up to the success.

6. Use failures as an 6. Use failures as an opportunity for reflection and opportunity for reflection and

growth.growth. Don’t use labels, and don’t let your Don’t use labels, and don’t let your

child use them. child use them. Don’t shelter your child from the Don’t shelter your child from the

realities of failure by placing blame on realities of failure by placing blame on others.others.

Ask: “What can you learn from Ask: “What can you learn from this experience? What could this experience? What could you try differently the next you try differently the next time?” time?”

(Click on image for video link. ) (Click on image for video link. )

7. Provide honest, 7. Provide honest, constructive criticism that constructive criticism that

emphasizes growth.emphasizes growth. Don’t harp on your child’s Don’t harp on your child’s

shortcomings or past mistakes. shortcomings or past mistakes. Work with your child to identify Work with your child to identify

strategies for improvement. strategies for improvement. Involve your child in the problem-Involve your child in the problem-

solving process, rather than meting solving process, rather than meting out punishments. out punishments.

8. Make concrete plans for 8. Make concrete plans for growth.growth.

If your child identifies an area of weakness or If your child identifies an area of weakness or is struggling, help your child establish a is struggling, help your child establish a concrete plan for improvement.concrete plan for improvement.

Avoid vague solutions:Avoid vague solutions: Ineffective: “I’ll study more.”Ineffective: “I’ll study more.” Better: “I’ll review my class notes nightly and Better: “I’ll review my class notes nightly and

make flash cards for the difficult concepts.”make flash cards for the difficult concepts.” Follow up with your child, and help him Follow up with your child, and help him

evaluate the process and refine the solution if evaluate the process and refine the solution if necessary. necessary.

9. Point out the perseverance/ 9. Point out the perseverance/ effort of favorite athletes and effort of favorite athletes and

stars. stars. Discuss what habits (focus, goal-Discuss what habits (focus, goal-

setting, daily practice, commitment) setting, daily practice, commitment) enabled the athlete to be so enabled the athlete to be so successful.successful.

Avoid referring to a star athlete’s Avoid referring to a star athlete’s “natural” talent or “effortless” ability. “natural” talent or “effortless” ability.

Talk about famous people who failed in Talk about famous people who failed in their early efforts.their early efforts.

(Click on image for video link.)(Click on image for video link.)

10. Take reasonable risks, and 10. Take reasonable risks, and encourage your child to do so.encourage your child to do so.

The growth mindset is about being a The growth mindset is about being a lifelong learner. Accepting risk and a lifelong learner. Accepting risk and a certain amount of failure is part of certain amount of failure is part of that process. that process.

Is there something you always Is there something you always wanted to try but were afraid you’d wanted to try but were afraid you’d fail? Make a plan to do it. Allow your fail? Make a plan to do it. Allow your child to do the same. child to do the same.

Fostering the Growth Fostering the Growth MindsetMindset

Nine-year old Elizabeth was on her way to her first Nine-year old Elizabeth was on her way to her first gymnastics meet. Lanky, flexible, and energetic, gymnastics meet. Lanky, flexible, and energetic, she was just right for gymnastics, and she loved she was just right for gymnastics, and she loved it. She was a little nervous about competing, but it. She was a little nervous about competing, but

felt confident she’d do well. She already knew felt confident she’d do well. She already knew where she’d hang her ribbons.where she’d hang her ribbons.

Elizabeth went first in the floor exercises. Although Elizabeth went first in the floor exercises. Although she did a nice job, the scoring changed after the she did a nice job, the scoring changed after the first few girls, and she lost. She did okay in the first few girls, and she lost. She did okay in the

other events too, but not well enough to win. By other events too, but not well enough to win. By the end of the evening, she had received no the end of the evening, she had received no

ribbons and was devastated. ribbons and was devastated.

Fostering the Growth Fostering the Growth MindsetMindset

What would you do if you were Elizabeth’s What would you do if you were Elizabeth’s parents?parents?

Tell Elizabeth Tell Elizabeth youyou thought she was the thought she was the best.best.

Tell her she was robbed of a win that was Tell her she was robbed of a win that was rightfully hers.rightfully hers.

Reassure her that gymnastics is not that Reassure her that gymnastics is not that important in the grand scheme of things.important in the grand scheme of things.

Tell her she is good and will surely win next Tell her she is good and will surely win next time.time.

Tell her she didn’t deserve to win. Tell her she didn’t deserve to win.

Your questions?Your questions?

Thank you!Thank you!

Please complete an evaluation Please complete an evaluation slip.slip.

adrian.hayes@vbschools.comadrian.hayes@vbschools.com