What is a Flexible Mindset
Educational systems have not kept pace with the changing needs of children in our complex and
ever-shifting world.
Our story starts with today’s children who will face complex & unprecedented challenges related to climate change, pandemics, social justice and rapidly increasing economic gaps and more…
They will also have opportunities to shape the world in ways we cannot imagine in fields such as nanotechnology, geoengineering and careers as yet unknown…
What we don’t know is the specific skills needed for them to survive and thrive individually & collectively.
What we do know is that Flexible Mindsets give learners the essential tools to become resilient, shift perspectives and direct their own learning journey.
METACOGNITION
The foundation of Flexible Mindsets rests on Metacognition: the awareness of one’s own learning and thinking. We use it when we notice what isn’t working and try something different.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTION
In the Flexible Mindsets model, executive function processes are what we use when we identify a goal, use what we know to figure out what to do and make it happen.
“I CAN” MESSAGES
Flexible Mindsets help us to change our thoughts into “I CAN” Messages that tell us that our brains can always grow and that we are capable of getting smarter.
FLEXIBLE MINDSET
A Flexible Mindset is the dynamic interaction between self-awareness, adaptive strategy use and perseverance that empower learners to evolve and become self-directed.
The Book
Julie & Susannah wrote this book because they truly believe that ALL students are capable of being innovators that can solve the world’s problems AND that teachers are the ideal partners in making that possible.
If you are searching for ways to make education more equitable, this book is a roadmap to equip educators and students with the messages and tools that activate deeper learning, cultivate perseverance and promote adaptive strategy use. With these tools in hand, they will be prepared to face the obstacles and opportunities that arise through uncertainty.
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Flexible Mindsets in Schools
If you’re ready to upgrade your teaching, Flexible Mindsets in Schools is more than just another book or workshop. You can transform your own mindset alongside your students’ by engaging in a holistic and intentional process that leads to becoming a Flexible Mindset educator.
Flexible Mindsets & Resilience
Today’s children are experiencing more stress and trauma than their counterparts 25 years ago. Toxic stress is shutting down the pathways for learning for too many children. Today’s teachers end up with the responsibility for building social and emotional competencies. The good news is that Flexible Mindsets can build resilience and better prepare our young people for coping with adversity.
Flexible Mindsets & The 3 C’s
Change is the only thing we know for certain and the world needs changemakers to act now. Changemakers aren’t born, they are made. If you don’t want to wait on the world to change, the solution lies in building the capacities of Critical Thinking, Complex Problem-Solving and Creativity.
Flexible Mindsets in Early Childhood
The best way to build Flexible Mindsets is to start young. Preschoolers can develop metacognitive knowledge about the brain and executive function processes. They can also learn to value mistakes, persevere in the face of challenges and try something new. The Pirates of Pondering resources provide everything early childhood educators or parents need to build Flexible Mindsets.
Equity In Education
Equity in education embodies the principle of providing all students with equitable access to the resources, support, and opportunities necessary for academic success, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances (Willingham, 2023). It requires a concerted effort to address disparities and inequities in educational outcomes and experiences to ensure that every student has an equal chance to realize their full potential.
