To support the social & emotional needs of NNHS students, the School Council is excited to focus its efforts on promoting “growth mindset” this year.
What is growth mindset and why should I care?
Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of motivation, has discovered a relatively simple idea that seems to energize students to learn. Success depends, in large part, on one’s “mindset.” A mindset, says Dweck, is the “running account that’s taking place in people’s heads.”
The School Council along with Principal Price is starting a dialogue with the North community (students, teachers, parents, and guardians) about growth mindset and how to encourage it. In praising the effort, not only the result, we believe that students can develop a love of learning that will lead to greater success. The School Council has put together a resource list which is accessible at the end of this page. But as a starting point for learning more about growth mindset, we recommend watching a short video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H14bBuluwB8
How can growth mindset be encouraged?
Click here for some essential growth mindset resources selected by the School Council.
What is growth mindset and why should I care?
Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of motivation, has discovered a relatively simple idea that seems to energize students to learn. Success depends, in large part, on one’s “mindset.” A mindset, says Dweck, is the “running account that’s taking place in people’s heads.”
- In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are fixed traits. They believe that talent alone creates success. You either have “it” or you don’t. If you don’t do well on a test, you don’t have what it takes. Conversely, if you do well, you’ve got “it.”
- In a growth mindset, however, says Dweck, people are more focused on learning. What can I learn from not doing so well on a test or an assignment? How can I improve? People with a growth mindset believe that their most basic qualities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.
The School Council along with Principal Price is starting a dialogue with the North community (students, teachers, parents, and guardians) about growth mindset and how to encourage it. In praising the effort, not only the result, we believe that students can develop a love of learning that will lead to greater success. The School Council has put together a resource list which is accessible at the end of this page. But as a starting point for learning more about growth mindset, we recommend watching a short video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H14bBuluwB8
How can growth mindset be encouraged?
- When you attend parent-teacher conferences, we encourage you to ask questions that are focused on process and effort in learning, not only the results. Is my child participating in class? What are the growth areas for my child? How is my child reacting to his/her mistakes? Is my child taking risks in class?
- Try to nurture a growth mindset at home. Share your mistakes and talk about what you have learned from them. Ask your child(ren) what they have learned in school. Ask them what they worked hard at—it might be using the correct pronunciation in a foreign language, working on getting a better time in a race, or selling raffle tickets. A growth mindset is not a mindset only for the classroom; it is a mindset for life.
Click here for some essential growth mindset resources selected by the School Council.