Positive Mindsets.

Born Smart?

Are we born smart or stupid?

Is intelligence fixed from birth?

Do we have ‘built-in’ talents as a baby?

Or… do talents, abilities and intelligence itself grow from experience and practice?

Importance of development!

At birth, we can’t WALK or TALK

These abilities don’t pop up overnight….

….. they DEVELOP as we LEARN!!

So are we born….

Good at maths?

Good at science?

Good at literacy?

Two beliefs about intelligence

Mindset matters!

Fixed Mindset

• People with a fixed mindset believe intelligence is innate - you get what you’re given

Growth Mindset

• People with a growth mindset believe that intelligence can be developed over time through practice

You can choose to adopt a growth mindset.

Changes in Fixed and Growth Mindsets Across Year Groups

Year Group Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset

R n/a 100%

1 10% 90%

2 18% 82%

3 42% 58%

How do we learn?

• Talk about neurons and how our brain creates new neural pathways when new learning takes place.

• Challenge is important to provide opportunity to build new learning.

• Effort! Discuss and define what ‘effort’ actually means with your children – will lead to better self evaluation

• Our brain needs to work out!It’s all about

brain power and effort!

We encourage a ‘have a go culture’ based

on……• High expectations within a differentiated

responsive classroom• Where effort is praised and not the

outcome• Where children believe that mistakes are

an important part of learning new things• Where a challenge is readily excepted by

children who think ‘This could be difficult – bring it on!

• Where risk taking is encouraged!