Summer Learning, Growth Mindsets, and Engagement

This brief article explains growth and fixed mindsets and how they function. It focuses on six strategies for promoting growth mindsets in youth.

For a summary of research on the effects of these mindsets, how they originate, and how to encourage them in children and youth, see also: Mindset and Motivation in Adolescence.

In this podcast, Dr. Stuart Shanker discusses the five steps of his Self-Reg method: 1) reframing behaviour, 2) identifying the stressors, 3) reducing the stress, 4) becoming aware, and 5) what to do to reduce the tension. This self-regulation method has been developed for children and teenagers. Dr. Shanker also outlines the three pillars of self-regulation and discusses why math makes children tense.

This article discusses five practical strategies for teachers to help their students become independent learners, acquire stronger study skills, and improve long-term learning outcomes.

Young people who experience strong developmental relationships tend to become thriving and contributing adults. What are some of the barriers that may make it difficult for youth work professionals and educators to build these relationships? Surprisingly, telling professionals what to do and how can sometimes have an adverse effect.

In order to thrive, children of all ages need Playtime, Downtime, and Family time (PDF). This article discusses the value of this approach as crucial to ensuring balance in young lives that are often focused exclusively on school performance. The three categories of the PDF framework are “crucial life skills that kids need in order to become happy and healthy adults.“ 

Informal home-based summer learning, led by parents, is a strong predictor of academic learning and success. “Parents can make the most of summer simply by visiting a library on the weekend, talking about baseball statistics or gas mileage in the car, and reading together for half an hour before bed.” When parents use the summer months to engage children in literacy and numeracy activities, they help to prepare them for a strong start in September.

Based on an online survey of over 2,000 public and private school students in the US, this report identifies six key categories of students and offers ways to help them feel engaged and connected.