Recently, discussions around Growth Mindset versus Fixed Mindset have become increasingly prevalent, especially within educational settings. As educators at The Dance Centre, understanding and applying these concepts is crucial to shaping our students’ dance journey and overall development. The distinction between these mindsets, and how we coach our dancers, can profoundly impact their experience and progress in dance.
The core difference lies in fundamental beliefs about abilities. Carol Dweck, a renowned psychologist, explains it succinctly:
“In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success.”
This contrasts sharply with a growth mindset:
“In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” – Carol Dweck
These are simple yet powerful concepts. Reflecting on successful dancers, it’s clear that a growth mindset, characterized by strong work ethic and continuous improvement, is a common thread. However, it’s vital to examine how we, as teachers and coaches at The Dance Centre, contribute to fostering this growth mindset in our students.
To illustrate this, consider a simple example. Imagine praising a young dancer for a naturally good cartwheel, saying, “You’re a natural at tumbling!” While seemingly positive, this praise focuses on innate talent. The child might feel instant gratification but may also become complacent, believing their current ability is “good enough” because it’s attributed to inherent talent rather than effort. This inadvertently encourages a fixed mindset.
Conversely, shifting the praise to effort and hard work yields different results. Instead of praising natural talent, feedback like “Your cartwheel is looking fantastic; I’m so impressed with how hard you are working!” acknowledges the dancer’s dedication. This approach instills pride in their effort, motivating them to continue practicing and improving. This small shift in feedback reinforces the growth mindset, where progress is linked to dedication, not just inherent ability.
At The Dance Centre, our mission is deeply rooted in nurturing growth in every student. We emphasize the value of hard work and consistently praise effort. Our experienced instructors often use phrases like, “Great work, you’re almost there!” and “Keep working; I see so much progress!” This method provides both encouragement and constructive feedback simultaneously. It acknowledges that mastery isn’t immediate but emphasizes that continued effort leads to progress – “that’s where the magic happens.”
Dance training at The Dance Centre is not solely about innate gifts; it’s about combining those gifts with diligent effort. This combination is the true recipe for success in dance and life. We focus on the details, the necessary work, and the process of becoming exceptional dancers. The benefits extend beyond the studio, as dancers often develop exceptional time management, academic diligence, and commitment skills – all stemming from the work ethic cultivated through dance.
This season at The Dance Centre, we challenge ourselves, our students, and their parents to embrace a GROWTH mindset. Encourage passion, set ambitious goals, and commit to the hard work required to achieve them. Remember, in dance and in life, abilities are not fixed; they are developed through dedication and perseverance.
