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"When we think we know, we cease to learn"

20 Jan 2020

"When we think we know, we cease to learn"

This quotation by Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan in 1952, remains as relevant today as the day he first used this idea and links perfectly to the New York Times article above. We all know in our lives that resetting goals and expectations as well as refining or updating practices are vital to success.  If we believe we are always right, we become less open to the ideas of others or fail to accept we can improve. Not believing we can achieve is also counterproductive. This article is an excellent summary of the current research and the nuances of the growth mindset research “Everyone is actually a mixture of fixed and growth mindsets, and that mixture continually evolves with experience.” (Carol Dweck) It also discusses failure mindsets and the impact of parent attitudes towards failure. Not surprisingly, these attitudes have a significant impact on young people, shaping their view of both their own intelligence and their ability to cope.

As we start the 2020 school year, questioning and praising a child’s process and effort as they work on tasks and build understandings are practical ways parents can support learning.  Have a look at Dr Haimovitz’s four tips: Ask questions about the process; Observe them closely; Model persistence and Create safe spaces for learning. This way, as the article suggests – your child will be getting comfortable with setbacks as they remain curious and engaged. 

Credit/Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/08/parenting/teach-your-kids-to-fail.html