Mindset is a simple idea discovered by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck in decades of research on achievement and success. Dr Dweck realised that there are two mindsets: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. A person's mindset can profoundly influence behaviour.
People with a fixed mindset believe that their innate abilities and intelligence are fixed traits. You can either do maths or you can't. You can either make friends or you can't. They also believe that talent alone creates success- without effort. With a fixed mindset, there is a reluctance to take on new challenges.
People with a growth mindset believe that they can learn, change and develop needed skills through dedication and hard work. They are better equipped to handle setbacks and know that hard work and effort helps them accomplish and learn. this view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all people who achieved top performance had these qualities.
A fixed mindset stops you in your tracks and limits your achievement. A growth mindset opens up possibilities and always offers you opportunities to grow and learn.
The image below summarises fixed and growth mindset.
Pennant Hills PS is passionate about developing students who are resilient, have a love of learning and are unafraid to act in order to accomplish goals. We are very excited about the journey ahead in learning about growth mindset and applying its principles to the daily lives of our boys and girls. Moreover, we look forward to achieving great things in partnership with our parents as we work together, speaking the same language, to promote a growth mindset in all our students.