{"id":23103,"date":"2020-01-21T18:22:24","date_gmt":"2020-01-21T18:22:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.potentialplusuk.org\/?p=23103"},"modified":"2023-04-11T17:08:07","modified_gmt":"2023-04-11T16:08:07","slug":"10-questions-about-mindset-and-high-learning-potential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/potentialplusuk.org\/index.php\/2020\/01\/21\/10-questions-about-mindset-and-high-learning-potential\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Questions about Mindset and High Learning Potential"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Understand Fixed Mindset and Encourage Growth Mindset in High Potential Learners<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

The buzzwords \u2018growth mindset\u2019 and \u2018fixed mindset\u2019 have caused a stir since 2006, when educational researcher and psychologist Carol Dweck released her book, Mindset; the new Psychology of Success<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

So, what are these \u2018mindsets\u2019 and can understanding them help parents and educators of youngsters with high learning potential?<\/p>\n

What is a \u2018growth mindset\u2019?<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Growth mindset is the belief that one can boost intelligence and develop new skills through effort, tenacity, experience and learning from others. We may each follow a different path, but fulfilling one\u2019s individual potential can require perseverance and possibly hours or years of hard work.<\/p>\n

While holding a growth mindset, students are not intimidated by effort; they see it as a means to an end that simply reflects the complexity of the task, stimulates them and activates their ability.<\/p>\n

What is a \u2018fixed mindset\u2019?<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

A fixed mindset believes that certain skills are \u2018for others\u2019 and that one\u2019s ability levels are set in stone and cannot be improved upon. As Dweck describes, \u201cIntelligence is seen as just a fixed trait. You have a certain amount and that\u2019s that<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

Hand-in-hand with this is the belief that effort is a bad thing \u2013 an undesirable indication that you don\u2019t have (and never will) the required ability. This fixed mindset makes young and old alike afraid to tackle new projects or hobbies as they don\u2019t want to \u2018look stupid\u2019.<\/p>\n

What if my young learner is always \u2018bored\u2019, refusing to engage?<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Since those in a fixed mindset see setbacks as embarrassing proof of their deficiencies, they will try to avoid any chance of a mistake by using strategies such as getting upset, defensive, using clever avoidance, blaming the learning materials or the teacher and acting \u2018bored\u2019. These are smokescreens; at home or in a learning environment, encouraging growth mindset can help.<\/p>\n

My children have high learning potential and are able; however they shout and give up if they don\u2019t produce amazing results first time. Would a growth mindset help?<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

The research definitely points that way. Carol Dweck says, \u201cI believe the<\/em> [<\/em>fixed mindset] belief that if you have ability, you shouldn\u2019t need effort, is [\u2026] why so many of our most promising students don\u2019t fulfil their potential. They coast along, not trying that hard, [<\/em>whereas on a daily basis] the other kids have to try – and one day they have to try too\u2026and they can\u2019t do it!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

With a child with high learning potential and their likely tendency towards perfectionism, the resilience needed for a growth mindset needs to be nurtured, modelled and practised \u2013 and by the setting of tasks at a challenging level. Set learning at too easy a level and children with high learning potential miss out on the double-edged opportunity to \u2018try and fail\u2019. However, with the right mindset culture at home and at school, small children with high learning potential begin to grow into adults who still ask for help when needed, enjoy problem solving and are largely unaffected by obstacles and setbacks.<\/p>\n

What simple things can I do?<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Give Praise Appropriately! <\/em>Studies have shown that praising \u2018Intelligence\u2019 <\/em>(e.g. \u201cWow \u2013 you\u2019re so clever!\u201d) encourages fixed mindset behaviour and creates mental blocks. However, by praising \u2019Process\u2019<\/em> (e.g. \u201cWow \u2013 you really focused well and had a great strategy!\u201d), you will nurture a growth mindset attitude of positive effort and approach.<\/p>\n

Also, embrace the phrase \u201cNot Yet\u201d. For example, \u201cI can\u2019t do that\u2026yet<\/span><\/em>!\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m learning, but I have not yet<\/span> moved up a whole level in swimming<\/em>\u201d.\u00a0 Use this kind of wording when you discuss school expectations or home education plans involving \u2018flightpaths\u2019, \u2018working towards\u2019 or being \u2018on track\u2019 for projected music exams, SATs, GCSE grades, or similar.<\/p>\n

What can a youg person with high learning potential do on their own?<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Learning an instrument, practising a sport, building a model from scratch\u2026. These are the kinds of projects that demonstrate first-hand, how success has to be built in gradual stages of patient dedication and incremental improvements. Slow, hard-earned achievements can be extremely frustrating, yet simultaneously so \u2018character building\u2019 for a young person with high learning potential (or adult!)<\/p>\n

When is the right age to introduce growth mindset appropriately?<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s never too young! How a primary caregiver interacts with even a baby or toddler has been shown to predict that child\u2019s mindset and desire for challenge 5 years later.<\/p>\n

Your child might complete work very quickly; however, don\u2019t automatically praise their speed; welcome challenge instead and say \u201cSorry \u2013 let\u2019s do something harder that you can learn from<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

Also, at home or in a learning environment, Dweck says that it should be normal to talk about setbacks and to ask questions like \u201cWho had a fabulous struggle today<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

What is \u2018false growth mindset\u2019?<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018False growth mindset\u2019, has been identified where growth mindset is honestly championed in certain real-life learning environments, but, in reality, not fully understood or successfully implemented.<\/p>\n

In 2016, Dweck updated Mindset<\/em> to address this and highlighted the key warning signs of praising effort alone (unlinked to progress), telling learners they can do \u2018anything\u2019, or failing to create a growth mindset culture.<\/p>\n

It is also worth remembering that each of us experiences a mixture of mindsets. For example, someone with predominantly a growth mindset can still frequently encounter circumstances that trigger closed mindset traits of defensiveness or anxiety.<\/p>\n

What reliable resources are there?<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Carol Dweck\u2019s book \u2018Mindset: The New Psychology of Success<\/em>\u2019 is a key resource, or watch one of her talks online, for example https:\/\/youtu.be\/J-swZaKN2Ic<\/a><\/p>\n

Potential Plus UK\u00a0 provides mindset-related advice sheets such as PA305 Inspiring Motivation to Learn<\/a>,<\/em> and PA324; Helping HLP Children to Develop Self-Regulation Skills<\/em><\/a> or PA320; Bloom\u2019s Revised Taxonomy (Thinking Skills)<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

There is a wealth of teaching resources at https:\/\/www.edutopia.org\/article\/growth-mindset-resources<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a fan of TED talks, https:\/\/childhood101.com\/growth-mindset-videos\/<\/a> suggests 10 growth mindset videos to share with children.<\/p>\n

The research in Parent Praise to 1-3 Year-Olds Predicts Children\u2019s Motivational Frameworks 5 Years Later<\/em>, Gunderson et al, is summarised at https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3655123\/<\/a><\/p>\n

For tips on avoiding pitfalls, try https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/education\/archive\/2016\/12\/how-praise-became-a-consolation-prize\/510845\/<\/a> and https:\/\/www.tes.com\/news\/carol-dweck-where-growth-mindset-went-wrong<\/a> or Carol Dweck\u2019s own article on overcoming false growth mindset at https:\/\/www.edutopia.org\/blog\/recognizing-overcoming-false-growth-mindset-carol-dweck<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And for a bit of positivity, scroll these quotes at https:\/\/everydaypower.com\/carol-dweck-quotes\/<\/a><\/p>\n

So\u2026growth mindset or fixed mindset; how was your<\/em> thinking?<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

And how will you now model future challenges?<\/p>\n

\n

\"Skills<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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