In this TED Talk, Carol Dweck focuses specifically on the power of “yet,” and the mental, and intellectual capabilities of children. Dweck is referring to a child’s intelligence in a classroom environment. This means examining mainly logical-mathematical intelligence, which is the “logical, mathematical, and scientific ability of an individual” (Hockenbury). Looking at the type of intelligence measured in this study, it can be concluded that Dweck is mainly concerned with a child’s analytic intelligence which is the “mental processes used in learning how to solve problems and how to handle problem-solving strategies” In examining this intelligence, it is “not a measure of mental ability, but instead the strategies used to solve the problems” (Hockenbury). This lecture goes into detail about growth and fixed mindsets Dweck emphasizes the benefits of having a growth mindset when it comes to learning new material and facing intellectual challenges.
She provides many strong examples, such as showing MRI scans of increased brain activity when a child with a growth mindset is faced with a problem In comparison, a fixed mindset child has little to minimal amounts of brain activity when they encounter a problem. Dweck stresses that to raise children with growth mindsets, parents must learn to praise not just the solution, but the process of learning and the willingness of their child to try. She also encourages that schools learn how to provide and “maintain optimal motivation in all children” (Nicholls) Additionally, the concept of equal learning is incorporated into this lecture. That is, the belief that all children should have access to an education that guides them to their “maximum possible quality of development” (Nicholls).
There are populations such as Native American children on reservations and those in the inner city that have underperformed for so long that these results almost become expected of them, But Dweck cites that when teachers “ growth mindset classrooms steeped in yet, equality [happened]? A class of kindergarten students in Harlem rose to the 95th percentile in a national test and a group of Native American students rose to the top of their district, outperforming even elite Seattle schools (Dweck). In Closing, there is something to be said about not limiting oneself. The power of believing there is always a way to improve is immense, if not the better half of the battle, Opening the mind to new problem—solving strategies and realizing that it is acceptable to try again are the basis of what give people hope in the words “not yet”.
Dweck concludes by emphasizing the importance of fostering a growth mindset in children and encouraging them to embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for learning and development. By nurturing a growth mindset, we can help children reach their full potential and achieve success in all areas of their lives. In summary, Carol Dweck’s TED Talk highlights the power of mindset in shaping the intellectual capabilities of children. By fostering a growth mindset and encouraging children to see challenges as opportunities for learning and growth, we can help them reach their full potential and achieve success in all areas of their lives.
