Introducing the yeti…
The power of ‘yet’ has spread across the school. We wanted a friendly face to embody the message: "I can’t do it yet but if I keep trying I will get there". The ‘yeti’ first appeared in one of Mr Barber’s assemblies and has since become a powerful symbol of one of our core learning principles.
We decided this was such an important part of our teaching and learning process that it warranted a specially commissioned yeti, illustrated by the talented artist, Carys Tait. Look out for our beautiful yeti posters around the school when you next visit. They are inspirational, I’m sure you’ll agree.
What is a growth mindset?
Over four decades and countless studies, Carol Dweck and other mindset researchers have provided empirical evidence that people with growth mindsets are more:
- Open to challenges and constructively critical feedback
- Resilient in the face of obstacles and initial failure
- Convinced that individual effort makes a difference
- Likely to attribute success and failure to their own efforts, rather than to their innate abilities
- Able to learn well with and from others
- Likely to rise to the top – and stay there
(from Growth Mindset Pocketbook by Barry Hymer & Mike Gershon)
How you can help at home
Some ways we can begin building a growth mindset culture?
- Adopt a ‘glass half full’ mentality at home. A child with ‘hope’ believes there can be a positive side to most situations.
- Always praise a child’s willingness to try, (effort, patience, practice)
- Praise the amount of effort your child is putting into things rather than how clever they are;
- Talk to your children about their brain being like a muscle - the more they use it, the stronger it gets;
- Encourage your children to not give up if they are finding something difficult;
- Challenge your children to try something new or challenging.
A Powerpoint file from a parents coffee morning including a couple of video links