Quick-Step: Praising children for their effort, rather than praising them for their intelligence.
What it is: Specific ways for adults to help kids try harder when presented with adversity instead of giving up or asking for assistance.
Why you need this: There are two types of mindsets that children can have—Fixed Mindset and Growth Mindset. A Fixed Mindset is someone who believes they are stuck with whatever intelligence they have now—they can’t really improve. A Growth Mindset is the opposite—the more you challenge yourself, the smarter you can become. Researchers have identified ways to encourage children to adopt a growth mindset as opposed to a fixed mindset. The key is the choice of words the adult offers the child when giving the child encouragement.
Estimated time: A few minutes every day, especially when kids are working on homework.
How to do it: The next time you see your child working hard or attempting a task, follow these tips:
- Praise your children for their effort, rather than praising them for their intelligence. Students praised for their effort will often attempt the more difficult task.
- Praising your children in general. Researchers found that over time, children who received more praise tended to have the growth mindset.
- Encourage your kids to use their brain. If homework comes easy to your children, give them something additional to work on. A brain is like a muscle—challenge it so it will grow!
Source: Why Some Kids Try Harder and Why Some Kids Give Up, Tracy Cutchlow, Huffington Post.
Every single adult needs to have an advance health care directive written, signed and in place. This includes your children, as soon as they turn 18. This includes you. This includes your parents.
Without an advance health care directive in place, you would not be able to access your child’s medical records, if they are unable to communicate permission. You would not be able to ensure your health care decisions will be made the way you choose. And your parents lose the ability to communicate their wishes and remain in control as long as possible.
Here is what you can do to have the conversation you need to have about advance healthcare planning: Read more.
The Kids Guardian Workshop
Date: October 7, 2014
Time: 6:00pm - 7:15pm
Location: Marguerite Christian School, 26558 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Click here to register online.
Would you like us to conduct a workshop for your group? If you are interested in hosting a workshop, please call Bonnie at 949.718.0420 or email her at [email protected].