10/14/2020
Let’s talk GROWTH MINDSET ⬇️ (SAVE if you’re a student, teacher, parent, etc) & SWIPE ➡️ for a breakdown of this concept.
The first time I encountered this term, developed by psychologist, Carol Dweck, I was teaching as a subcontractor with a school. I was asking my amazing employer for advice with young students. I noticed some students simply felt overwhelmingly discouraged whenever things got difficult. I knew, as their teacher, it was my responsibility help them overcome this.
My employer suggested I read up on and come to a workshop they were having on growth mindset.
As an opera singer, it’s nearly impossible not to have a growth mindset. Even if I didn’t know what to call it. The capacity for growth has been proven before my very eyes time and again. If I listen to recordings, I can hear the improvement. Sometimes that improvement happens within the span of a few weeks. Certain passages of music that once felt impossible to execute become second nature eventually. I’ve almost always known that with enough practice and focus, I can get better.
But imparting that mindset to a young child is difficult work. It will not come naturally. Understandably so, when they can’t do what is asked of them, they may think they will never be able to do understand or perform the task. My teachers have instilled within me a growth mindset throughout the years and I have been absorbing it subconsciously.
I started doing little things and big things to foster this mindset in my students. And I started doing these things for myself. (Hey, everyone can benefit from some growth mindset exercises at every stage. ☺️)
I practice goal-setting and progress evaluation with students. I replace “excellent” or “lovely” with “good work,” and I remind them, (often !) that I’ve been taking voice lessons for 12 years and still do!
I learn and change at a similar pace to them which is part of what is so exciting about artistic development and education.
