At Langdale we believe in showing the children that they can overcome any obstacle in their lives to go on and become something truly great. We firmly believe that the biggest barriers in life are the ones we place on ourselves and it is our job to inspire the children to think big and aim high. To help the children understand the power of positive thinking and determination we inspire them by introducing a range of positive role models.
Growth mindset refers to a learning theory developed by Dr Carol Dweck. It revolves around the belief that you can improve intelligence, ability and performance. The opposite, a fixed mindset, refers to the belief that a person’s talents are set in stone. Years of research have shown that mindset is malleable. This means that by helping students to develop a growth mindset, we can help them to learning more effective and efficient.
How can you help your child?
As the most important adult in your child's life it really will help if you:
Encourage your child to be curious, to experiment, to use their imagination and to be messy.
Praise their hard work rather than the marks they get.
Make it clear that being hard-working and intellectually curious is cool.
Praise them when they think for themselves, work well in teams and change their minds after thinking something through.
Accept that failure is a really important part of learning.
Encourage them to do activities such as writing, reading, watching fiction, solving puzzles, exchanging cultural views and debating.
Talk with teachers about support and opportunities rather than predictions.
Want to know more about Mindset?
Take a few moments to watch these excellent talks about the importance of a Growth Mindset.