Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset
Carol Dweck's distinction between believing abilities are improvable through effort (growth) versus believing they are fixed traits (fixed) — a difference that shapes how children approach challenge.
The core idea
Children with a growth mindset believe that intelligence and ability grow through effort, strategy and learning from mistakes. Children with a fixed mindset believe intelligence is set — you're either smart or you're not. The fixed-mindset child avoids challenges (because failure would mean 'I'm not smart'). The growth-mindset child seeks challenges (because effort builds ability).
Why parental language matters
Children build mindsets partly from the language adults use. 'You're so clever' (fixed) trains children to avoid anything that might prove them wrong. 'You worked hard on that and figured it out' (growth) trains them to value effort and persistence. The difference accumulates over years.
How Yajur applies it
Yajur Public School's teachers are trained in growth-mindset language. Mistakes are framed as data ('what did we learn?') not failure ('you got it wrong'). Reports highlight effort, strategy and improvement alongside grades.
Related terms
Metacognition
Thinking about one's own thinking — being aware of how you learn, monitoring whether you understand, and adjusting your approach. One of the strongest predictors of academic success.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The structured teaching of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making — alongside academic content.