Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset in Kids: A Professor Explains How They're Different Parenting School/Education

You may have heard the term “growth mindset.” It refers to research by Dr. Carol Dweck, a professor of Psychology at Stanford University.

Her research found that:

• Students with a growth mindset are more likely to take risks.

• Learn from their mistakes.

• Are self-motivated.

• Ask for feedback.

• Learn more than peers with a fixed mindset.

Why? Because they view their skills and intelligence as able to be improved or developed. Whereas students with a fixed mindset are more likely to:

• Give up when something is too hard

• Be afraid to try new things.

• Can become jealous of peers because they view their skills and intelligence as set or unchangeable.

A student with a fixed mindset might say, “I don’t know this.” However, a student with a growth mindset would say, “I don’t know this YET.”

An easy way to encourage a growth mindset is to ask, “What helped you keep going when faced with a challenge today?” instead of asking “What did you do today?” For more information, check out Dr. Carol Dweck's TED Talk. 

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