- Define and explain The Growth Mindset in your own words
- Use key terms such as growth mindset accurately
- Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
- Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic
This lesson focuses on The Growth Mindset: explore Carol Dweck's idea that abilities can grow with effort, and how your self-talk shapes your learning.
Explore Carol Dweck's idea that abilities can grow with effort, and how your self-talk shapes your learning.
Key ideas
Your self-talk matters
Dweck found that the words in your head shape how you learn. Thinking 'I can't do this' is a fixed-mindset thought that makes you quit. Adding one word — 'I can't do this yet' — turns it into a growth-mindset thought that keeps you trying. 'Yet' is one of the most powerful words in learning.
Practice rewires your brain
Every time you practise something, the connections in your brain for that skill get stronger — and that is why a song you play daily becomes easy. Nobody is born good at spellings or football; they get good by repeating, failing and trying again.
Key term — growth mindset: The belief, studied by psychologist Carol Dweck, that your abilities can improve through effort, good strategies and help from others.
What is a growth mindset?
The belief that your abilities can improve through effort, good strategies and help from others.
Answer: The belief that your abilities can improve through effort, good strategies and help from others.
- A growth mindset means just trying harder at the same thing Dweck's idea is about effort plus better strategies and help. Repeating what is not working without changing your approach is not a growth mindset.
- If you are clever, everything should be easy Even the cleverest people find new things hard at first. Difficulty is a sign you are learning, not a sign you lack ability.
Practice
'I can't swim yet.' The word 'yet' signals that ability can grow with practice.
A fixed mindset is the belief that your abilities cannot change much, which can make people avoid challenges.
Mistakes show the brain which approaches do not work, so it can try new ones — each mistake teaches something.
Any two: practise a little every day, learn them as a song, use flashcards, ask a teacher for tips, practise with a friend.
Quick check
Which of these best defines "growth mindset"?
True or false: asking for help is a sign of weakness.
- The Growth Mindset: explore Carol Dweck's idea that abilities can grow with effort, and how your self-talk shapes your learning.
- Your self-talk matters: Dweck found that the words in your head shape how you learn.
- fixed mindset: The belief that your abilities are set in stone and cannot change much, which can make people avoid challenges.
- Watch out for: a growth mindset means just trying harder at the same thing