The Growth Mindset of a Toddler: Being wrong, redirecting, and moving on without embarrassment.

Several years ago I was struck by a comment made by noted education reform (real reform - not political agendas) advocate Sir Kenneth Robinson. What he said that caught me so off guard was something I have heard in a few settings since then that essentially point back to this same concept. The image goes something like this. You ask a room full of kindergartners, "Who here can draw?", every student in the room will raise their hand. But if you ask the same question of a room full of adults the same question, even ones who are the brightest and best in their fields, there will only be a slight scattering of hands across the room. Here is the related video. He posits the idea that we were all trained out of this creativity.

"We are educating people out of their creative capacities...[W]e don't grow into creativity, we grow out of it. Or rather, we get educated out of it." - Sir Ken Robinson

The answer to 'what happened' is what we refer to as 'growing up' happened. It really seems tragic doesn't it? Within each of us as a child was nearly limitless belief in the ability to do pretty much anything that we set our mind to. I am not suggesting a naive position that suggests everyone could have been an astronaut. We know that there are strengths and differences in learning styles, aptitudes, etc., however what is lost is the flexible mindset that allows us to redirect learning into things we find interesting because we believe that we are able to adapt and really learn to become proficient in things we don't already have skills in.

Dr. Carol Dweck wrote a book some years back called Mindset which focused on how we as individuals encounter various experiences and the way we react to those experiences. Those with a fixed mindset often function in a reality of binary alternatives; " I am exceptional or worthless." "I am superior or inferior." We all know the phrase that has been kicked around "If you aren't first, you are last." What a bleak set of options, and what a terrible message for young people who have not yet developed a skill in something they may be passionate about. Here is Dr. Dweck's TED Talk on Mindset. In the fixed mindset, your value is directly tied to your being able to best all others at a particular thing. This mindset not only prevents your own ability to grow and become better (because challenges are not opportunities but measures of worth), but they also impact your relationships with families, coworkers, and others around you as well as the culture within your home and workplace. There can be no growth and improvement if there is no recognition of opportunity.

"In a fixed mindset, when you fail; you're a failure - in the growth mindset, when you fail; you're learning." - Dr. Carol Dweck

I was inspired but what was a simple moment that was not a conscious act on behalf of my toddler. It reminded me that I want to create an environment for my children and in my workplace that fosters an atmosphere of opportunity and learning rather than value measurement and limitations. As my three year old made his toy helicopter soar through the air of our living room at the end of his fully extended arm, he called to his brother, "Bubba, look at my airplane flying through the sky." His brother retorted that his "helicopter" was going so fast. Without missing a beat, the three year old responded with, "YES! My HELICOPTER is going so fast!" You see, what happened there was learning without feeling embarrassed by a lack of knowledge. For a three year old all things that fly could be an airplane. But when his terminology was corrected he didn't feel the shame of being in error or have his value tied to the experience of having a mistake pointed out. He readily absorbed the knowledge and redirected in a way that took him back to his objective - fun!

As educators and professionals, we have an ethical responsibility to take the binary relationship out of learning and professional growth. Learning, education, and professional growth is not a win/lose or success/failure situation. Every challenge presents opportunities to flex, grow, and learn in a way that increases skill and knowledge. By creating cultures that measure value off of a first place system we severely limit the capabilities of students, employees, and organizations. I am not suggesting an environment where there are no standards and where everyone gets a prize. We are talking about a developing a culture of opportunity for personal and professional development and growth in whatever environment of which we are a part. Standards and metrics for performance are critical and encourage growth when applied in a way that is not winner and loser. Accountability is meaningful if it is applied with holistic evaluation and goal setting.

As leaders, how we deal with our own mistakes and challenges will impact all of those around us and set the expectation for others in how to face their own issues. We must not only create an environment that encourages growth, but be the example of finding opportunity in challenges.

Cory Colby is a recovering high school and middle school social studies teacher with certifications in social studies and administration who has served as the president of the leading association representing public educators in Texas; the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE). He is known for his strategic and reform-minded leadership style and insights into getting educators and students involved in politics and government at all levels. Cory is a leading advocate for student-centered equitable education and public education policy. Currently he serves as Professor of Government and Coordinator of the Civic Engagement Internship Program for Lone Star College - Tomball in Tomball, Texas. Cory is available to work with your school or district on issues ranging from civic engagement and political involvement to campus culture, student-centered instruction, and personal branding for educators.