September Growth Mindset Mantra
Everyone Can Learn!
The growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and ability are not fixed traits or that we are born with only so much of them. If the central thesis of the growth mindset had to be summed up in three words or less it would be, "Everyone can learn!" Does this mean that we all have the same potential? No. Does this mean that we are all capable of the same amount of success in any given area? No. Does this mean that if we try hard we will all ace our schoolwork? No. When we say, "Everyone can learn," we simply mean that every person has the potential to develop, grow, and achieve in any given area.
This month, we will team to relay to your student that no matter where they consider themselves to be in terms of intellect and skill, with hard work and perseverance, they can develop beyond that point. September is all about setting the tone for a growth-oriented year.
Every day, your child will be immersed in the growth mindset in our school. They will be asked to take educational risks and will be praised, not for their mental quickness or natural intelligence, but for approaching the process of learning with grit and determination. They will grow in ways that they never thought possible.
But, here's the thing, these messages can not only come from school. We need your help! How can you help? You can value growth and improvement in your home. Be mindful of where your student starts and how they progress over time and praise the effort that went into that growth.
Here are some things you can do right away to extend and promote the growth mindset at home:
- Encourage your child to take risks and tackle new challenges at school.
- Praise your child not for the ease with which he or she learns a concept but for the amount of effort put into learning.
- Communicate with your child's teacher if the material is too easy for your child, so we can offer him or her sufficiently difficult learning challenges.
- Emphasize perseverance and effort in extra-curricular activities. For example, "I'm proud of how much effort you put into that basketball game." instead of "I'm proud of how many points you scored in that basketball game."
In addition, we will provide resources for you each month because the Growth Mindset is not just something that benefits our kids. It is a mindset that helps everyone grow in positive ways. Below you will find additional resources for the month of September! We hope that you will commit to joining us on this growth mindset journey. Together we can make a huge difference! :)
The Growth Mindset Coach: A Teacher's Month-by-Month Handbook for Empowering Students to Achieve. by. Annie Brock and Heather L. Hundley.