growth mindset - montgomery county public schools · how to foster a growth mindset teach about the...

Growth MindsetJenny FlemingProfessional School Counselor, Sherwood ESLCPC, NCC, RPT

Gifts - Celebrate yourselfModeling positivity and celebrating your strengths, sets a great example for your children.

Complete the ‘Gifts’ worksheet!

After you finish, think to yourself about the following questions, on a scale from 1-5 (1 - really hard to 5 - really

easy):+ How much effort did you have to

put into identifying your gifts?+ What realm did your first thoughts

fall in - emotional, social, physical…?

+ How hard would it have been to identify your areas for improvement?

Carol DweckProfessor of Psychology at Stanford University

•Carol Dweck has conducted research over the last 35 years with children and young adults.•Her primary focus is how children view themselves as learners.

Mindset Research● When children are praised or given feedback for intelligence

their performance declines over time. Praising children for

intelligence rather than effort actually hinders performance

drastically over time.

● Students’ beliefs about intelligence play an important role in

their school achievement, engagement and happiness.

● Praising the process (effort or strategies) creates eagerness

for challenges, persistence in the face of difficulty and

enhanced performance.

...Mindset Research•In Math, more girls have a fixed mindset than boys

•Individuals labeled as ‘Higher ability’ more frequently have a fixed mindset

•Students labeled as ‘Lower ability’ with a fixed mindset perceive themselves

as ‘not smart’ and only ever capable of ‘easy’ tasks

•Fixed mindset children see ‘failure’ as something to be avoided and

therefore stay firmly in their comfort zone

So, what do we do?

IntelligenceHow do you define it?

+ Gardner - Multiple Intelligences (original 7)

+ Musical-rhythmic+ Visual-spatial+ Verbal-linguistic+ Logical-mathematical+ Bodily-kinesthetic+ Interpersonal (social skills)+ Intrapersonal (Introspective/self-reflective)

Whole childChildren are complex little beings. There are many different pieces to each individual.

Take Note of your child

1. Take a note card (for each of your children)

2. Write your top three celebrations about your child

3. Write your top wish for an improvement of your child’s

Nine-year-old Libby went to her first gymnastics competition. Long-limbed, flexible and energetic; she enjoys and does well in gymnastics. She is nervous about competing, but confident, and even has been daydreaming of the trophy she knows she will win.

In the first event, floor exercises, Libby was first to compete and did a ‘good job’. A few other girls performed their routines and Libby went from 1st to 3rd.

Libby also did well in the other events, but not well enough to win. By the end of the evening, she had received no trophies and was devastated.

Scenario

•1. Tell Libby that you thought she was the best.•2. Tell her she was robbed of a trophy that was rightfully hers.•3. Re-assure her that gymnastics is not that important.•4. Tell her that she has the ability and will surely win next time.•5. Tell her that she didn’t deserve to win. She didn’t practice enough like you told her to.

What would you do if you were Libby’s parents? Why?

Class Dojo Video

Train your brain

Confusing messages

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

“You are brilliant! You got an A without studying.”

If I don’t learn something quickly, I’m not clever.

I’d better stop studying or they won’t think I’m brilliant.

Said Heard

How to Foster a Growth Mindset� Teach about the brain� Model positive thinking

○ Believe it and practice it. It’s more likely your child will honor it, if they see you value it.

� Praise intentionally� Embrace process� Take advantage of mistakes� Let kids take reasonable risks and fail

...Fostering a Growth Mindset� Overtly label effort based thinking� Use descriptions for areas of improvement

like ‘yet’, ‘trying’, and ‘experiencing’� Encourage peer collaboration & discussion� Encourage curiosity and creativity

Phrasing

Ingredients for success

Class Dojo video - making mistakes

Build self-awareness

Emotional state

TemperatureFeeling Words

Emotional inventory

Triggers

Sometimes staying positive and praising effort, is trickier in specific situations.

Knowing yourself and your child’s highest level frustrations will help you predict challenging situations in advance.

Strategize self controlWhat works for self control in your house?

● Brainstorm things you/your child can do to emotionally regulate● Highlight strategies your child is willing to try● Practice strategies in ‘low stress’ times● Practice strategies in ‘increased stress’ times● Use visual reminders to make strategies concrete

Mrs. Fleming’s suggestions

Worksheets

Resources - Biography� Ish by Peter Reynolds� What Do You Do With An Idea by Kobi Yamada� Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld� The Little Engine That Could� The Bravest Fish & the Cave Monster by Matt Buckingham� I Knew You Could by Craig Dorfman� Jack’s Talent by Maryann Cocca-Leffler� Yes We Can by Sam McBratney� The Fantastic Elastic Brain

Growth MindsetBelief that intelligence can be developed

Purpose to LEARN

Embrace Challenge.

Persist despite roadblocks

Effort as a path to

mastery.

Learn from criticism, See

others success as inspiration

Belief in intellectual growth

Thank You for EVERYTHING!

Any questions?+ School - Jennifer_L_Fleming@mcpsmd.org+ Private Practice - JFleming@resnikpsychology.com