"Praising children's intelligence harms their motivation and it harms their performance"

~ Carol Dweck

 

Intelligence is not fixed

The latest research on brain plasticity shows that our brain is malleable and intelligence can grow. Connectivity between neurons can change with experience and brains grow new connections, strengthen existing connections and learn to work faster. We now know that brains are like muscles, and they need to be stretched, pushed and worked in order for intelligence to grow. The brain must be challenged to the very tips of its capabilities to grow.

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The knowledge that your intellect is able to grow allows children to understand that they are able to develop any skill or knowledge with effort. Children often believe that the hard part of the AG Class is gaining a place in the class. Encouraging children to understand that once they receive a place, the hard work only just begins is part of our challenge in the AG Class. 

 

Teaching children that their intelligence is not fixed and that they cannot rest on the result of one test is essential in giving children motivation to learn and improve. Once we are able to set children on this path, we are one step closer to helping children become growth mindset learners. 

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