Just because some people can do something with little or no training, it doesn't mean that others can't do it (and sometimes do it even better) with training.
Carol S. DweckRead
Praise your child explicitly for how capable they are of learning rather than telling them how smart they are.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Focus on a child's ability to learn rather than labeling them as 'smart'.
This quote emphasizes the importance of encouraging children by praising their effort and capacity to learn instead of simply labeling them as 'smart'. This approach nurtures a growth mindset, helping children to understand that their abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, which fosters resilience and a love for learning.
Themes
LearningPraiseGrowth MindsetEducationChildren
In practice
Example use cases
During a parent-teacher conference to discuss a child's progress.
More from Carol S. Dweck
All quotes →Some students start thinking of their intelligence as something fixed, as carved in stone. They worry about, 'Do I have enough? Don't I have enough?'
Carol S. DweckRead
In one world, effort is a bad thing. It, like failure, means you're not smart or talented. If you were, you wouldn't need effort. In the other world, effort is what makes you smart or talented.
Carol S. DweckRead
Our message to parents is to focus on the process the child engages in, such as trying hard or focusing on the task - what specific things they're doing rather than, 'You're so smart. You're so good at this.' Although it's never too late to change, what you do early matters.
Carol S. DweckRead
Picture your brain forming new connections as you meet the challenge and learn. Keep on going.
Carol S. DweckRead
I loved everything. I loved sciences and I loved humanities. But ultimately, I felt that in the humanities, you know, you're writing about things that already exist. But in the sciences, you're discovering things that no one has known before. Ultimately I chose psychology because it seemed to combine science with things that I liked to think about.
Carol S. DweckRead
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