The Power of 'Yet'

We talk often about Stanford University Professor Carol Dweck’s work on ‘growth mind-set – the idea that we can grow our capacity to learn and to solve problems. ‘

Have a look at this fascinating TED talk where she explains the power of believing that you can improve. Dweck describes two ways to think about a problem that’s slightly too difficult to solve. “Are you not smart enough to solve it … or have you just not solved it yet ?”. It is all about “praising the process that kids engage in: their effort, their strategies, their focus, their perseverance, their improvement. This process praise creates kids who are hardy and resilient.”

We may find it uncomfortable to see our children struggle and fail. Struggle and failure are an integral part of learning. In her work, Dweck teaches children that ‘every time they are pushed outside their comfort zone to learn new and difficult things, the neurons in their brains form new and stronger connections, and they get smarter’. Now that is cool science! Children can feel the exhilaration of learning and achievement when they feel challenged, stretched and stimulated. How do we encourage them to persist and keep trying? We need to praise wisely. We now know that it not only ineffective but it can be damaging to praise intelligence and talent and the 'now' as we are reinforcing a fixed mindset.

When you hear: “I just cannot get this piano piece” “I am rubbish at math’s” “I cannot understand it.” Give this growth mindset approach a try: “You are really persevering. You just have not got it yet.” “Keep trying as that is not quite right yet. “” There is a difference between not knowing and not knowing yet.”

As Dweck explains: “Just the words “yet” or “not yet,” we’re finding, give kids greater confidence, give them a path into the future that creates greater persistence. And we can change students’ mindsets.” Worth a try.