How to Raise

1
How to Raise Smart Kids

• Hint Dont tell them theyre smart!

2
Outcomes

• Families will get information about
• How to GROW intelligence (I.Q.)
• The Growth Mindset
• How praise and feedback directly affect learning

3
The Truth about Smart and Dumb

• its about the effort

4
What does smart imply?

• Smart implies that
• someone was born that way.
• someones brain is at its potential.
• someone is smart at some things, but not
  necessarily all things.
• it is important to be fast at a new thing.

This is not true!
5
You can grow your intelligence

• Neuroscientists agree that the brains
  intelligence is malleable (it can grow)

6
The Recipe
7
The Growth Mindset
People who understand that intelligence can grow
will respond in the Growth Mindset.
8
We can develop a growth mindset in ourselves, in
our children
9
The things people say to themselves
10
Talk back with a Growth Mindset voice

• When you approach a challenge

The Fixed Mindset Voice says The Growth Mindset Voice Responds
Am I sure I can do it?
What if I fail? Then I will be considered a failure!
If I dont try, I can protect myself and not be embarrassed.
Im not sure I can do it this instant, but I can
learn to with time and effort
Most successful people had failures along the
way.
If I dont try, I automatically fail. Wont
that be embarrassing too?
11
Talk back with a Growth Mindset Voice

• When you hit a setback

The Fixed Mindset Voice says The Growth Mindset Voice Responds
This would have been easy if I really had talent.
You see, I knew it was a risk. Now I have gone and shown how limited I am
Its not too late to back out, make excuses, and save face
That is so wrong. Basketball wasnt easy for
Michael Jordan and science wasnt easy for Thomas
Edison. They had a passion and put in tons of
effort.
How great would it be if I learned how to do
this better and then tried again and succeeded.
If I back out now or make excuses not to try
again, I wont learn anything.
12
Talk back with a Growth Mindset Voice

• When you face criticism

The Fixed Mindset Voice says The Growth Mindset Voice responds
It wasnt my fault, it was someone or something elses fault
Who does that person think they are for giving me advice? Im not listening to them.
I guess the person who gave me feedback doesnt think I can do it. They might even want to see me fail.
If I dont take responsibility, I cant fix it.
Let me listen- however painful it is, and learn
whatever I can.
Let me hear what they have to say, maybe they
know what they are talking about.
Maybe they are trying to help because they
actually want me to succeed, otherwise they might
not be offering any advice at all.
13
The things we say to our children
14
Learning how to use growth-minded praise

• Encourages a Fixed Mindset
• -I was never good at math either.
• -You did that so fast!
• -You are a natural at that.
• -You are so smart!

• Encourages a Growth Mindset
• -I gave up on math when I was younger.
• -Looks like youve mastered that, whats your
  next challenge?
• -Congrats on your success! I am proud of you.
• -I can tell you put a lot of effort into that!

15
Dont tell them they are smart!

• Praise children (and adults!) for.

Asking questions/for help
Effort
Grit
Sticking to it
Handling a mistake well
Taking on a challenge
Determination
16
Parenting that grows childrens intelligence

• Oh wow! You finished already? Let me see that.
  It looks like I just wasted your time by giving
  you something you already knew how to do. I
  apologize. Why dont you try this next activity
  and see if it challenges you?
• Yes, I can see youre really putting a lot of
  effort into these problems, and look at you
  solving them correctly! Dont worry about how
  long its taking. Your speed will increase as
  you get more practice. The main thing is that
  you feel confident about what you are doing so
  far.
• I know you are upset that you made a big
  mistake, but that is how we learn. What do you
  know now that you didnt know before?
• The reason you need to feed the dog close to the
  same time every day is that hes depending on you
  for his nourishment. His biological clock alerts
  him when its time to eat, and hes helpless to
  do anything about it. I see that you enjoy the
  special relationship you have with your dog, and
  I know you want to be the one who sees that he
  gets what he needs when he needs it.
• Each family member is responsible for
  contributing to the overall quality of life in
  this house. Your father and I have certain things
  we do, and we expect you children to do the same.
  Write five things you are willing to do each week
  that will benefit the other family members.

When they work fast
When they struggle
When they make mistakes
When they dont understand why
When they dont want to do their part
17
Take the Growth Mindset Action

• Learn to recognize when you hear a Fixed Mindset
  voice
• and when you hear a
• Growth Mindset voice.
• Then make a choice!

18
Make Mistakes!
19
Embrace Challenges!
20
Resources for you
21
Re-framing Practice Changes fixed messages to
growth messages
The Fixed Mindset Voice says The Growth Mindset Voice Responds
Am I sure I can do it?
What if I fail? Then I will be considered a failure!
If I dont try, I can protect myself and not be embarrassed.
Im not sure I can do it this instant, but I can
learn to with time and effort
Most successful people had failures along the
way.
The Fixed Mindset Voice says The Growth Mindset Voice Responds
This would have been easy if I really had talent.
You see, I knew it was a risk. Now I have gone and shown how limited I am
Its not too late to back out, make excuses, and save face
That is so wrong. Basketball wasnt easy for
Michael Jordan and science wasnt easy for Thomas
Edison. They had a passion and put in tons of
effort.
How great would it be if I learned how to do
this better and then tried again and succeeded.
The Fixed Mindset Voice says The Growth Mindset Voice responds
It wasnt my fault, it was someone or something elses fault.
Who does that person think they are for giving me advice? Im not listening to them.
I guess the person who gave me feedback doesnt think I can do it. They might even want to see me fail.
If I dont take responsibility, I cant fix it.
Let me listen- however painful it is, and learn
whatever I can.
Let me hear what they have to say, maybe they
know what they are talking about.
www.egusdmindset.pbworks.com www.mindsetworks.com