GROWTH MINDSET PLAN

What is the growth mindset, and why is it important?

A growth mindset is “the ability to believe that the most basic activities can be developed through hard work and dedication” (Einck, 2017)

“A growth mindset is when students understand that their abilities can be developed,” (Dweck, 2014).

In Carol Dweck’s research, the growth mindset encourages risk-taking and accepts failure as part of the learning process. This is a game-changer approach in education as teachers have the ability to impact their students’ lives positively and help them reach goals. 

Having a growth mindset helps students and adults overcome obstacles you may face when learning something new or developing a new skill. By changing the way you think, you can change the way you learn. Knowing that your talents and intelligence can be developed allows you to explore, experience, and achieve more in life.

The Power of YET

The message of “yet” is a message of hope and opportunity. Feedback is so essential, especially when we are looking for improvement. Still, in the case of “yet,” it becomes an encouragement to strive for level performance never achieved before. 

The Growth Mindset can be an excellent component for evaluations. Students want to know whether they fail or pass and immediately create preconceptions about themselves. Using a Growth Mindset after any assessment can make a difference in their success. We must praise people for their process- strategies, hard work, focus, and perseverance rather than talent and intelligence (Dweck, 2014).

The Big Differences

Growth Minset

“In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” (Dweck, 2015)

Fix Minset

“In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success—without effort.” (Dweck, 2015)

Four Steps to Changing your Mindset

  • Step 1: Learn to hear your "fixed" mindset voice.
  • Step 2: Recognize that you have a choice.
  • Step 3: Talk back to it with a growth mindset voice.
  • Step 4: Take the growth mindset action.

How to use the steps

The first thing is recognizing your fixed mindset thoughts and your voice leading to that thinking. The second thing is to realize that you have a choice/option regarding your thinking. for the next step, you focus on the positive and encouraging voice that will lead you to growth. Finally, take action and grow! Take on challenges, learn from your failures, and accept that success takes hard work, and criticism is part of the process. Develop and be consistent with these four steps. Influence your community and develop an environment with a growth mindset. Remember, the success of this change starts with you! 

Implementation & Promotion

1. Prepare
yourself
2. Prepare
your environment
3. Prepare
your students

Prepare yourself: As a teacher/leader/Community member, believe in and model the growth mindset. Be ready to fail forward with students/adults and know how to respond to frustration and failure.

Prepare your environment: Put up reference posters with positive words to remind students/adults about the growth mindset. Make sure the language you use is aligned with the message.  

Prepare your students: Use read-aloud, videos, class discussions, and teachable moments to explain and promote a growth mindset in the classroom/meetings/presentations.

PERSONAL IMPACT

Adding a growth mindset to my life has removed a lot of stress and has made my life more peaceful. The constant feeling of not being right or making a mistake has prevented me from reaching another level in my professional and personal life. It takes time and consistency to see the improvements, but the essential piece is to make a part of yourself and your environment. 

RESOURCES

Books

  1. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
  2. Mindsets in the Classroom: Building a Growth Mindset Learning Community by Mary Cay Ricci
  3. Challenging Mindset: Why a Growth Mindset Makes a Difference in Learning – and What to Do When It Doesn’t by James Nottingham & Bosse Larsson

Video Resources for Students

Video Resources for Teachers

References: