Educational Insights: Sept, 30, 2008
By: Dr. Paula Sissel, Superintendent/Elementary Principal
September 30, 2008
Having dedicated my adult life largely to the topic
of ‘learning’, it has been interesting to observe it taking place
in a variety of settings and across all age groups. If you walk
into a preschool or primary classroom, you will generally see
children excited to volunteer or try something new. When posing the
questions, “Do I have any volunteers?” or “Who would like to assist
with a new project?”, the average youngster eagerly raises their
hand to participate. In fact, many raise their hands before the
question is completely stated. Typically, young children readily
volunteer to help out or try a new activity.
On the other hand, if these same questions are posed to older
students or adults there often is a much different response. It
seems, the older we become, the less excited we are to venture into
the ‘unknown’. It would appear that many may feel apprehensive and
are less willing to try something new. As we age, the less we want
to leave our comfort zones. We shy away from taking risks and fear
embarrassment. Unfortunately, people seem to focus on and remember
our mistakes more than the growth we get from making them.
Ironically, the very nature of learning is in fact to ‘make
mistakes’. You actually measure learning by reducing the number of
mistakes you make over time. If we are growing and learning, we are
bound to err. Change requires mistakes, represents difficult
choices, and a certain amount of discomfort. It is messy and often
difficult to manage. It seems everyone desires to be smarter, but
most would prefer not to be involved in the work required to learn.
Quite simply, learning requires effort and involves risks.
The research of Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. reveals, “the view you adopt
for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life.”
(mindset THE NEW PSYCHOLOGY OF SUCCESS, 2006) The power of one’s
mindset is highly influential. With the right mindset, we can
motivate our kids and help them to succeed in school and life. By
fostering the love of learning and resilience, we can improve
accomplishments at all levels. High standards and a nurturing
environment are powerful influences in a child’s life. Adults who
create an atmosphere of trust, not judgment, are more likely to
boost learning. Balancing challenge and nurture is more likely to
produce maximum results.
It has been said that the pessimist believes there is difficulty in
every opportunity and an optimist believes there is opportunity in
every difficulty. Ultimately, one’s frame of mind has huge impact
on their learning. Children tend to follow their role model’s cue.
The adults in their life have the potential to foster growth by
recognizing mistakes will be made in the learning process. High
expectations must be coupled with the acknowledgement that mistakes
are only fatal if we fail to learn from them.
Henry Ford said it best: “Whether you think you can or think you
can’t – you are right.”
