Beliefs about implementing strategies to accomplish goals
Students with a fixed mindset may believe they don't have to use disciplined strategies to accomplish goals. Answers should just come to them. Or, they may feel comfortable using a few strategies that have been successful in the past, but are hesitant to try new, unproven strategies. They may believe any of the following:
- My strategy of waiting to the last minute and cramming has worked so far. Why should I change just because the work has gotten to be more challenging?
- When I think I know something, I know it. I don't need to examine the quality of my answer any further.
- I can solve these problems without working through the steps. Why should I bother thinking about my own thinking?
- My old strategies are not working. If I am not successful because the strategies don't work for me anymore maybe I am not smart after all. How can I disguise that this work is difficult for me?
- The strategy I was using did not work. I can develop another to see if it works. Eventually, if I keep trying, some strategy will be successful.
- I have to get better at using strategies just like I need to get better at learning. Creating and trying out new strategies helps my brain get stronger.
- If I plan for obstacles and review my own skill set I will be able to develop a strategy that will result in success.
Supporting a growth mindset about implementing strategies and accomplishing goals
To encourage a growth mindset, provide supportive comments or ask the following questions when your child to support your child's skills at implementing strategies and and accomplishing goals:
- It looks like this is going to be a challenge, so you will need a plan. Do you want to develop a plan on your own or would you like for us to work on it together?
- That strategy did not work. Let's think about why. How can you change strategies to have a better chance of success?
- That was a really successful strategy. Why do you think it worked so well? Where else can you use this
strategy? - That is a good strategy. How could you modify to be successful at a different task?
The Kids' Take: Developing strategies based on success and failure
In this video, written and performed by two of our students, Drew and Revanth show how failure can be glossed over or turned into an opportunity to learn and to grow. Sometimes, we, as parents, believe we are supporting our children when we are really denying them the opportunity to learn how to learn from mistakes. |
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References
Dweck, Carol S. (2008) Mindset: The new psychology of success. Ballantine Books, NY.
Lightsey, Richard. (1999). Albert Bandura and the Exercise of Self-Efficacy. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy. 13:2 pp 158-166.
Usher, Ellen L., Pajares, Frank. (2008). Sources of Self-efficacy in school: Critical review of the literature and future directions. Review of Educational Research. 78:4 pp 751-796.
Lightsey, Richard. (1999). Albert Bandura and the Exercise of Self-Efficacy. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy. 13:2 pp 158-166.
Usher, Ellen L., Pajares, Frank. (2008). Sources of Self-efficacy in school: Critical review of the literature and future directions. Review of Educational Research. 78:4 pp 751-796.