Mindset and Grit

What is grit? Dr. Angela Duckworth defines grit as "the passion and perseverance for long-term and meaningful goals" (Baruch-Feldman, 2017).  It's the ability to persist even with setbacks.

Dr. Carol Dweck tells us that our mindset matters (NBC 2012). There are two kinds of mindset, growth mindset and fixed mindset. Fixed mindset is believing your intelligence is a fixed trait and you can reach the limit of it. Growth mindset is a belief that intelligence can be developed. It's a belief that everyone can enhance through learning, studying, and good instruction. 

Sometimes people mistakenly believe that effort means you don't have as much intelligence as others. That effort is something to be embarrassed about because it "didn't come naturally." Effort causes growth in our neurons and set backs are part of learning. When your brain work had, it forms new connections. So effort is good! Developing skills and seeing growth is caused by what Dr. Duckworth calls "effortful practice" (NBC, 2012).

When we praise a child's intelligence it causes them to have a fixed mindset. "You're so smart! You dance so gracefully. You are such a great student." Praising intelligence sabotages resilience.

Having a growth mindset makes you grittier. So how do we change mindsets from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset? First we have to have a growth mindset ourselves. Then we need to teach our children study skills and growth mindset together. Use growth mindset language. Praise their effort and persistence and utilize the word yet. Rather than "I am not good at math," have them say, "I am not good at math yet." 

Here are ways to change your language to growth mindset

Instead of saying this.....

1.You're so smart.

2. You're so athletic.  

3. You're such a good artist. 

4. You always get good grades and it makes me happy.

Say this!

1. You work hard really hard in school and it shows.

2. You really work hard and pay attention on the court/field. 

3. I can see you have been practicing drawing. What a great improvement.

4. When you put forth effort, your grades show it. You should be proud of your efforts.

Focus more on noticing and praising the effort your child is making to achieve growth and goals. This helps children learn effort is good and helps them develop a growth mindset. It teaches them that the more effort them put into the things, the more they can achieve, learn, and grow.

References:

Baruch-Feldman, C. (2017, October 3). What is Grit and Why is it Important? New Harbinger Publications. https://www.newharbinger.com/blog/what-grit-and-why-it-important

NBS News. (2012, September 12).  True Grit, Can You Teach Children Character? [Video]. NBC.  https://www.nbcnews.com/video/true-grit-can-you-teach-children-character-44432451969