Came across an article in New York magazine called "How Not to Talk to Your Kids: The Inverse Power of Praise". Among other things, it examines research showing that kids praised for being smart often turn out to be academic underachievers compared to kids praised for making an effort, who can go on to achieve greater and greater things; how people with a strong self-esteem don't necessarily do better in school and at life; and how too much praise can turn kids into praise junkies.
As an adult, I found the article explains some of my attitudes about learning new things. And the end of the article has what's perhaps the most useful lesson—the author asks her son:
“What happens to your brain, again, when it gets to think about something hard?”
“It gets bigger, like a muscle,” he says.
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4 comments:
Interesting article..
I haven't read the article, but hell, that won't stop me from having an opinion about it. I think that the more one thinks, the more one's brain becomes like a soggy sponge. There's only so much it can hold! Ain't Web 2.0 great?!?
It's friday, what an excuse for not thinking today (Or any day in fact) "No boss, sorry can't think about that because I don't want to end up like a soggy sponge!!! " I think I'll try that excuse one day (when I'm courageous enough)
My brain turns into a soggy sponge at about 3.30pm every day. I say bring back the afternoon naptime!
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