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Posts tagged growth mindset
Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Kids
06 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
This month, I am working with my 3rd grade students on cultivating a growth mindset. Today, I shared one of my all-time favorite lessons: challenging students to build the tallest possible tower out of wooden blocks–using only chopsticks. No hands! It’s an intentionally challenging task that gives kids the opportunity to persist, overcome obstacles, use positive self-talk, learn from mistakes, change tactics, and think outside of the box. Looking forward to sharing this with more students throughout the week!
Teaching Growth Mindset with Wooden Blocks
07 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
This month, I am working with my 5th grade students on developing a Growth Mindset. They are learning the value of working through problems, persisting through mistakes, learning from failures, and demonstrating an open-mindedness toward lifelong learning and continuous improvement.
Today, we did a fun activity where the kids were challenged to build a tower with wooden blocks–using only chopsticks (no hands!). The task was intentionally difficult, but using teamwork and a growth mindset, the kids were challenged to persist until they completed the task. Initial failures happened, goals were ultimately achieved, hilarity ensued and a good time was had by all.
From Perfection to Personal Bests: 7 Ways to Help a Gifted Child
13 years
You get the letter from school in the mail. A teacher has identified your child as potentially “gifted” and wants to send him or her for further testing and evaluation. Flash forward: the tests are completed, your child is a whiz, and enrichment classes will become a part of his regular school routine. What wonderful news!
It was in my family. Until all of a sudden, it wasn’t anymore. Instead of my seven-year old feeling enhanced self-confidence and pride in her intellectual and creative abilities, what I began to see was a newly anxious little girl who cried over imperfect scores on her handwriting test and wanted to give up books “forever” when she found out she placed second in her class’ monthly reading contest.
Does any of this sound familiar to you? Please check out my post on PsychologyToday.com for 7 essential strategies on how professionals, parents, and caregivers can nurture a “growth mindset” in their gifted child.