Part One: The Audacity of High Hopes
Part Two: What to do
If praising kids for being smart saps motivation what are we to do? Here’s the sidebar to the article and Dweck’s advice on what to do. What do we tell the kids?
You have a bright child, and you want her to succeed. You should tell her how smart she is, right?
That’s what 85 percent of the parents Dweck surveyed said. Her research on fifth-graders shows otherwise. Labels, even though positive, can be harmful. They may instill a fixed mindset and all the baggage that goes with it, from performance anxiety to a tendency to give up quickly. Well-meaning words can sap children’s motivation and enjoyment of learning and undermine their performance. While Dweck’s study focused on intelligence praise, she says her conclusions hold true for all talents and abilities.
Here are Dweck’s tips from Mindset:
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This is a thought-provoking article that highlights the importance of praising children for their effort rather than their innate abilities. It's crucial to encourage kids to develop a growth mindset that helps them understand that hard work and dedication can lead to success. The article rightly points out that kids who are told that they are naturally talented are more likely to give up easily when they face challenges. I appreciate the author's suggestions for helping children adopt a growth mindset and develop a passion for learning.