How far back is Kristin's link? I missed it somehow.

I'm not really awesome. When it comes to Ben and Sara it's just been really easy to navigate parenthood. They're incredibly cooperative and fun kids.

Oh, just take the compliment, HilAmy.

By which I mean, was pretty fun and easy, too, but I still wish I'd been praised otherly. No blame, you understand. It is what it is, and I was treated fantastically as I kid, just... I was inherently lazy, but it was not obvious that that was the case and probably needed to be addressed. I wish now (not then!) that I had been called on shit more.

ETA: Or maybe it was noticed, but since I still managed to get done what I needed to do my job at the time, which was get good grades, I was excused for my poor habits. Who knows. Bygones.

Stephanie, Pix "Natter 69: Practically names itself." Oct 19, 2011 4:28:50 pm PDT.

Thank you, Jen! Hee.

Aged White Cheddar Pirate's Booty is the best thing ever. EVER.

I've made a real effort with Ben and Sara to emphasize that they enjoy something, or that they're trying really hard, rather than "Oh, you're so smart!”

Yep, this is exactly it. It’s a hugely important thing to understand as a teacher or a parent, and such the opposite of what my generation was raised with. There were smart kids and mediocre kids and dumb kids--very caste-like--and if you were “smart” but didn’t get something right away, maybe you weren’t as smart as you’d thought. SUCH a different mindset than one that sees failure as an opportunity for growth. The really amazing thing is the research Dweck conducted with elementary school students.Here is the article that really, profoundly shifted my understanding of intelligence and how it was impacting my students: [link]

Along with reading that, if you want to see how you fall in the fixed-growth mindset range? There’s a quiz here: [link]

The one thing I get with Sara a LOT is that she wants to be reassured, or just loves praise. "Do you think I'm a good artist, Mommy?" That kind of thing. And that's more nebulous than grades and academics, certainly, but I always, "Do you like doing art? What's your favorite thing to do?" or something along those lines, to sort of steer her away from the good/bad mindset.

Pix, both those links go to the same page.

Coffee: If you can’t see the whole Scientific American article without subscribing and want to see it, email me. I have a pdf of it and would like everyone to read it. Truly.

Thanks, Hill: link's fixed, but I think you can only see the beginning. Like I said, it’s worth reading and I have a copy if anyone wants to see it.