And the secret is…..
August 1, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
The secret to raising smart kids, that is. In last year’s Scientific American, Stanford psychology professor Carol Dweck writes that focusing on effort, rather than intelligence or talent”—what she calls a “growth mind-set”—-helps make children “high achievers in school and in life.” A “focus on effort,” she writes, “can help resolve helplessness and engender success.” Certainly welcome news around here: Charlie, like many/every of our kids, tries harder than hard to “get it.” It often takes him a lot more time, and he makes more mistakes and hears that “no” word a lot, and things that seem obvious to people often elude him, but he perseveres.
Summer school ended yesterday for Charlie and so it’s feeling like the “real” end of the school year to me. No report card’s coming home and it’s not needed. The peaceful easy-feeling boy I’ve spent a quiet morning with (helping himself to a breakfast of sprinkles and chicken; ok, getting in some protein) is proof that more than meets the grade.
Have a nice summer break, Kristina! I am looking forward to ours in a couple weeks!
Thanks & thanks! With today begins the countdown to our annual beach stay……
When I’m interviewing people, I always value those who have evidence of working hard over credentials and high scores any day.
Joe
I read that article in a teaching seminar I attended at the beginning of the summer. Great article and good advice for teaching all kids.
Enjoy the break!
Camp ends next Friday and then three weeks of vacation before school starts.