Smart Kids

Scientific American has featured an article about raising smart kids. The article rings true with what I have experienced. Yet, I wonder how much I have encouraged the wrong view in students by not explicitly encouraging hard work.

Why do some students give up when they encounter difficulty, whereas others who are no more skilled continue to strive and learn?

Research indicates that it is the view the student holds about intelligence. If they believe that intelligence is something that you are born with and cannot change, then they will tend to give up when confronted with difficulty. Students who see their brain like a muscle that can be developed will see mistakes as problems to solve. They will see that effort pays off.

Tell stories about geniuses who worked hard to make their discoveries.

Say things like, "Wow . . that's a really good score. You must have worked really hard.

Praise for work not intelligence.

Give sessions on study skills, not just going over the material in extra study sessions.

"This applies to more than just school. Many young athletes value talent more than hard work and have consequently become unteachable."