Many people would agree that a child’s attitude towards school and learning in general is shaped very early on. That’s why it’s essential that we as teachers and the facilitators of learning set children up for success by giving them tasks within their zones of proximal development. Now, that’s not to say that we should be giving kids tasks that are too easy or too fun that they develop the mindset that learning means being entertained, but authentic learning experiences that we create must make learning pleasurable, engaging, attractive, and create a large opportunity for confidence-building.

     On a psychological level, children around five or younger like approval. (Everyone likes approval, if we’re really being honest.) Teachers should create lessons with a high probability of success for the students. If we’re giving them the tools they need to succeed, then everybody wins, and every pupil will feel successful, confident, and positive about learning. That’s how we build a growth mindset.

     However, learning can’t just be rainbows, sunshine, and boxes of puppy dogs: it still has to be challenging. Students must be required to do tasks that are slightly out of their comfort level but possible with the assistance of a teacher. Children must be praised for challenging themselves so that they will want to do it again for approval and eventually through intrinsic motivation.

     This sounds easy enough, but teachers have their work cut out for them because “children begin school at very different points in their social, cognitive, emotional and psychomotor development” which leads to students staying at a wide range of achievement levels throughout their schooling careers” (Masters, 2014, p. 5).  Teachers must constantly strive to challenge students at their own levels while providing the support for those who are behind and enrichment for those who are ahead.
      Last but not least, teachers must always remember that children are people before students. The most important lesson we can ever teach students is that they can and will be successful if they put their minds to it. When in doubt, always read The Little Engine That Could.

Reference

Masters, G.N. (2014). Towards a growth mindset in assessment. Practically Primary.

19(2), 4-7.

Malcom Gladwell's The Outliers: KIPP Program
http://educationnext.org/nature-or-culture/

What's your mindset?

We can be anything we want to be if we put our minds to it. Well, we might not be able to "be" a helicopter for instance, but we do have the capacity to build the knowledge to get to the precipice of our dream.s As teachers, we have to set standards high and not only expect but require that students reach those standards. We do this through personal and academic support. Our choices in strategies, scaffolds, and environments give kids the "glasses" they need to see a goal through to the end.