What is Growth Mindset?

Growth Mindset is a concept that was developed by Carol Dweck.

Growth Mindset is the belief that a person’s abilities and intelligence can be developed through practice, perseverance, determination and motivation

What is a Fixed Mindset?

Fixed Mindset is the idea that intelligence and ability alone will lead to success. People with a Fixed Mindset believe that these things are fixed and cannot be developed or improved upon. They believe that you are either born with it or not, and nothing can change that.

How can help I my child develop a Growth Mindset?

• Discuss errors and mistakes and help your children to see them as opportunities to learn and improve

• Encourage deliberate practice and targeted effort.

• Praise carefully – not for intelligence but for effort

• Encourage high challenge tasks to grow those brain cells! (see overleaf for more ideas)

Children who have a Growth Mindset are more likely to:

· learn from their mistakes;

· be motivated to succeed;

· put in more effort

· take on challenges;

· take risks; · seek feedback;

· learn more;

· demonstrate resilience.

Why is having a Growth Mindset important?

There has been much research about Growth Mindset and Fixed Mindset. It is believed that:

Children who have a Fixed Mindset are more likely to:

· fear failure;

· give up on tasks they feel are too difficult;

· ignore feedback;

· avoid challenges;

· feel threatened by the success of others.