A quick graphic on Growth vs Fixed Mindset. What is it?
http://www.andrewstaggs.com/2014/07/
Thank you for designing it.
For more information related to Carol Dweck's work on Mindset and the impact on children's success you can also read this article.
http://www.mindsetonline.com/forum/parentsteach/index.html
TOP 10 WAYS I AM "UNFIXING" MY TODDLERS MINDSET
http://www.mindsetonline.com/forum/parentsteach/index.html
TOP 10 WAYS I AM "UNFIXING" MY TODDLERS MINDSET
1. Allowing her to develop tolerance for frustration - this means that I am stopping myself and counting to 10 before I intervene. Often she surprises me and works it out.
2. Praising her persistence - every time I step back and she works on something repeatedly I praise her. She doesn't have to get it right now, the effort alone to stick with it is enough
3. Changing our vocabulary- of course I still tell her she is smart! But we also use phrases like "wow that was good hard work" "keep trying you will get it" "I like how hard you are working" "look what you did when you tried" "look at you grow - it wasn't easy but you are getting it"
4. Model Momma Model - I show her how to do it. Even if I know it's challenging. I make gestures, use words, show examples. Then I let her try. It's not about doing it right it's about the process of trying. Example- today's Tupperware play. She desperately wants to get the lid on one of the smaller pieces. She just isn't there yet. But, I modeled then she persistently tried and tried and tried. She got frustrated. She held the lid out to me. I showed her again and gave her a turn. She didn't get it but I praised her effort. She will try again and one day she will get it.
5. We Taught our family members and caregivers about Mindset- this is an area of continued growth for us. Everyone is at a different place on the spectrum. But, keeping the message similar will only reinforce it.
6. She sees me fail and try again - OK so she is toddler. I don't expect her to really see my failures yet but I point out mistakes and opportunities to do it better. For example, I dropped the silverware when trying to get it in the dishwasher. "Whoops momma didn't do that right. I'm going to try that again. I think I can do better" Start small. As they growth they may even start encouraging you to persist through some of your bigger challenges.
7. I point out other kids showing growth mindset - if I see another child at the playground trying to master a new skill I point out how hard they are working. How they didn't get it right away but they keep going. Maybe they succeed as you watch or maybe they don't but praise the effort.
8. I try to connect & extend learning - we tend to set benchmarks for mastery. We all do it. You've "got it" now move on to something else. This sometimes teaches children that there is an end point for learning that they are trying to get to. But, that is fixed - a stopping point. We want growth. Rather I try to connect the skills to new learning or extend it when I can. "Wow you rolled that ball right to Momma now let's see if you can kick it." "Look at you! You worked so hard and took all of the blocks out of the bin next let's see if you can put them back."
9. Let her be independent- she will gain confidence and problem solve. I am continually surprised and delighted at how I see her growth and the learning. I offer encouragement when she face challenges.
10. Be open to possibilities - I try not to limit my expectations of her or make presumptions about her. Encourage risk taking (This is hard for me when it comes to the physical stuff because I don't want her to get hurt. Papa helps me out here.) Teach that through failure there is growth. Without challenge there is no triumph. Struggle, struggle, struggle....GROW!
2. Praising her persistence - every time I step back and she works on something repeatedly I praise her. She doesn't have to get it right now, the effort alone to stick with it is enough
3. Changing our vocabulary- of course I still tell her she is smart! But we also use phrases like "wow that was good hard work" "keep trying you will get it" "I like how hard you are working" "look what you did when you tried" "look at you grow - it wasn't easy but you are getting it"
4. Model Momma Model - I show her how to do it. Even if I know it's challenging. I make gestures, use words, show examples. Then I let her try. It's not about doing it right it's about the process of trying. Example- today's Tupperware play. She desperately wants to get the lid on one of the smaller pieces. She just isn't there yet. But, I modeled then she persistently tried and tried and tried. She got frustrated. She held the lid out to me. I showed her again and gave her a turn. She didn't get it but I praised her effort. She will try again and one day she will get it.
5. We Taught our family members and caregivers about Mindset- this is an area of continued growth for us. Everyone is at a different place on the spectrum. But, keeping the message similar will only reinforce it.
6. She sees me fail and try again - OK so she is toddler. I don't expect her to really see my failures yet but I point out mistakes and opportunities to do it better. For example, I dropped the silverware when trying to get it in the dishwasher. "Whoops momma didn't do that right. I'm going to try that again. I think I can do better" Start small. As they growth they may even start encouraging you to persist through some of your bigger challenges.
7. I point out other kids showing growth mindset - if I see another child at the playground trying to master a new skill I point out how hard they are working. How they didn't get it right away but they keep going. Maybe they succeed as you watch or maybe they don't but praise the effort.
8. I try to connect & extend learning - we tend to set benchmarks for mastery. We all do it. You've "got it" now move on to something else. This sometimes teaches children that there is an end point for learning that they are trying to get to. But, that is fixed - a stopping point. We want growth. Rather I try to connect the skills to new learning or extend it when I can. "Wow you rolled that ball right to Momma now let's see if you can kick it." "Look at you! You worked so hard and took all of the blocks out of the bin next let's see if you can put them back."
9. Let her be independent- she will gain confidence and problem solve. I am continually surprised and delighted at how I see her growth and the learning. I offer encouragement when she face challenges.
10. Be open to possibilities - I try not to limit my expectations of her or make presumptions about her. Encourage risk taking (This is hard for me when it comes to the physical stuff because I don't want her to get hurt. Papa helps me out here.) Teach that through failure there is growth. Without challenge there is no triumph. Struggle, struggle, struggle....GROW!