This article was originally posted in KQED News.

While this article focuses on younger students, the message still applies to all learners: Failure can be productive. Research on growth mindset suggests instructors should encourage the process of problem solving (especially if it’s challenging), so students aren’t completely dissuaded by failing at the task and, instead, are excited to learn. Maricela Montoy-Wilson, the second-grade instructor in the article “Growth Mindset: How to Normalize Mistake Making and Struggle in Class,” focuses time and energy on normalizing struggle in the classroom so her students don’t just give up if they don’t understand right away. We may all be able to take a lesson from second graders!

Read the complete article here.

Schwartz, Katrina. “Growth Mindset: How to Normalize Mistake Making and Struggle in Class.” KQED News. KQED, 24 Aug. 2015. Web. 31 Aug. 2015.