T H E
B R A I N
& growth mindset By Danielle Brown, Head of Primary School
I have recently been exploring the concept and research around neuroplasticity. The idea that our brain has the ability to adapt or rewire itself. This links nicely to what we teach our students at FCAC about a Growth Mindset. In a webinar titled “Teaching Kids to Stretch” by Dan Haesler, he explored Growth and Fixed Mindsets based on the research by Carol Dweck. He encouraged us to think about the words we use when we praise our children. Giving children praise based on how smart they are (fixed mindset) as opposed to how much effort they had put into something (growth mindset). Saying, “Oh wow, great job, you must be really smart at this” over and over again can lead to the child thinking that when things come easy to them then they are smart. But when things are hard, they can give up because they are afraid of not being seen to be smart anymore. If we change our words to say “Oh wow, great job, you must have worked really hard at this”, then we are praising the child for the effort they have put into achieving a goal or a challenging question. This type of praise helps the child to understand that no matter how hard the challenge, if they work at it, they can work to a solution. Using this type of praise in a situation where they haven’t got the answer right is also encouraging, “Oh wow, you are nearly there. Keep working on it and you will get there”. We want our children to be developing growth mindsets, believing that their abilities, intelligence and talents can all be developed and enhanced through hard work and determination. That challenges are welcomed and are fun experiences that test our brains and help us grow our abilities, intelligence and talents. Demonstrating a Growth Mindset also encourages our brain to rewire itself, leading to the strengthening of neural pathways which then rewires our brains. Even as adults, role modelling a growth mindset can lead to neuroplasticity.
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