During the Efficacy “Get Smart” Mindset workshop for parents and families, I ask participants to generate a list of the kinds of things they (unconsciously) do and say that lead children to believe that intelligence is innate—that some people are born with the "brains" to be very intelligent, and others are not. I feverishly write their comments on a flipchart, and then I add... moreDuring the Efficacy “Get Smart” Mindset workshop for parents and families, I ask participants to generate a list of the kinds of things they (unconsciously) do and say that lead children to believe that intelligence is innate—that some people are born with the "brains" to be very intelligent, and others are not. I feverishly write their comments on a flipchart, and then I add one more: “You’re so smart.” Quizzical looks immediately follow. Inevitably someone will ask, “You mean it’s not good to tell my child that he’s smart?” My participants, like most parents in America, are shocked to hear that telling their children “you’re smart” is not an effective practice (research by Columbia University shows that 85% of American parents believe they should tell their kids that they're smart). In truth, telling children they are smart can have the opposite effect from the one that parents usually intend. Po Bronson, in his article "How Not to Talk to Your Kids," writes that, "Giving kids the label of ‘smart’ does not prevent them from underperforming. It might actually be causing it." Here’s why… view page