Learning Beyond the Books: Five Skills Smart Kids Need by Heidi Smith Luedtke
Raising smart kids isn’t about teaching to the tests, it’s about building brainpower. Kids who can find information, connect ideas, and apply what they’ve learned aren’t just book-smart, they’re life-smart. This past year has shown us that kids who embody these skills are more adaptable and successful in new situations and different learning environments. Cultivate your student’s progress with these skills. 26 Atlanta Parent
January 2022
Growth Mindset n What it is: Smart kids define intelligence by ability to learn, not as a fixed trait. Decades of research by developmental psychologist Carol Dweck and her colleagues show kids who think in terms of a fixed trait give up quickly when challenged. They see failure as proof that they don’t have what it takes, not as a signal to invest more effort or try another approach. A growth mindset is healthier and more productive. Kids who believe intelligence is developed are not discouraged by failure; they see it as learning, Dweck explains. These learners seek challenges, think creatively and thrive despite setbacks. n How to build it: Reinforce the belief that talents are developed, not a matter of biology, Dweck says. Praise your child for their effort and persistence, rather than for their intelligence. Say, “I’m proud of you for playing such a difficult song; you really stretched your skills” instead of “You’re a talented musician.” Share stories of scientists, athletes and artists who model passion for learning and dedication to development. Smart kids need hard-working role models.
Meta-cognitive Understanding n What it is: Smart kids think about their own thinking: they can take multiple perspectives and they’re aware of their biases and assumptions. “Metacognition isn’t about grades,” says Leif Gustavson, the Dean of the College of Education at Pacific University Oregon. “But it helps kids study efficiently and use knowledge effectively.” Students need to understand how and why they are learning the material in a particular class, he says. This is pedagogical intelligence. When students understand a teacher’s methods, they can direct their own learning.
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