Appreciating Variability

Universal Design for Learning, discusses ways to recognize variability as an asset, and not a liability. The strategic networks of the brain are mentioned and their connection to The Marshmallow Test. In this test of instant gratification, young students are given a marshmallow. They are told that they can eat the marshmallow now, or if they wait, they can have two when the teacher comes back. It is interesting to see the different strategies the students use to try to help themselves in this experiment.

Another strategy that we can teach our kids is a "positive time-out". Usually, time-outs are used as a form of punishment. But it is more powerful, if we teach our kids to use them as a time to self-reflect and self-regulate. Instead of waiting for problems to arise, we must help our kids self-monitor and to recognize when they need a break. One of the first steps in doing so is helping them to see patterns in when they are getting upset and to understand what triggers them. It is then helpful to teach our kids calming strategies, like deep breathing, visualization, or other methods that they find helpful.

Dr. Carol Dweck also discusses how to teach a growth mindset and the "power of yet". She asks, "Are we raising kids for now or are we raising kids for the future?" She finds that just by using the word "yet", it encourages students to try harder and persevere. She also talks about the importance of celebrating effort and difficulty in her video below. As I support teachers, I specifically want to encourage them to use the word "yet" with students and colleagues and the "positive time-out".