The Teacher Mindset

Thinking about the co-learning process, I started investigating messages about learning, specifically the differences between a fixed and a growth mindset.

In a TED talk from 2012, Eduardo Briceno shared two mindsets: a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. Mr. Briceno based his talk on research by Stanford Ph.D. Professor and author Carol Dweck. When you have time, watch his video to learn all the details. There are also wonderful videos from Dr. Dweck and others to explore this topic further.

In his TED talk, Mr. Briceno shared the characteristics of a fixed mindset: worry about grades, scores, or praise and concern about being judged. In a fixed mindset, an effort is undesirable because effort means a person lacks intelligence. In a fixed mindset, there is a lack of interest and an avoidance of difficulty.

A growth mindset views learning as essential and believes that effort is what makes people more intelligent. In a growth mindset, the focus is on the process and failing while learning something new. Failing is not the end of the learning journey. Failing is the stage of not yet, which gives the learner a path into the future. Research says the brain is most active when receiving information about what we could do better.

What practices can teachers follow to nurture a growth mindset in the classroom?

Be open to possibilities. Be open to the possibilities for learning and discovery by Inviting children to choose their work and play. Support children’s work and play through scaffolding and providing materials for children to expand their understanding. Support children and become a co-learner through conversation, collaboration, and documentation.

Invite children to lead the curriculum. The predominant method for creating a curriculum features adult-originated projects based on a theme. Projects that follow a pattern get copied by all children who end up with a similar outcome. Another curriculum option is creating a rich curated environment with various material choices that lead to experimentation and discovery and become the foundation for work and play.

Understand that creativity is messy. The number of materials utilized and the mess a child creates through experimentation may make teachers uncomfortable. Trying to avoid messy work can influence the openness and creativity of the children in the classroom. Try to encourage the unrestricted use of materials and promote the rights of materials to be other things. Work to employ the liberal use of recycled materials and provide children ample free time to explore them deeply.

Be open to discussion about rules. Encourage children to be open and honest about classroom rules with the educators through discussion. All children have guidelines to follow for the health and safety of the learning community. Create guidelines with the children through agreements. In our program, community guidelines are honored not because a teacher "told you so" but because our community has agreed upon how we want to treat each other.

Value Children. Maria Montessori said, "Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us because of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future." Value the children in your school and their participation in your learning community. Value each child's contribution in creating your unique blend of learners who challenge and learn from each other. Appreciate that children have moments of joy and confusion and value the time together playing and learning.

Encourage independence. Long-time newspaper columnist Ann Landers said, "It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves. That will make them successful human beings.”Encourage independence in your program for all the choices children make each day. For example, invite children to choose their work, who they play with, plus what and when they eat. Our role as teachers is to help the children when they are stuck. We coach the children and help them acquire materials to make choices as they direct their learning.

What type of teacher mindset do you have, a fixed or a growth mindset?