First Nursery Report for CC

It amazes me still that three children brought up in the same environment can have such different character traits. Is it nature over nurture, or do we unconsciously actually treat each child differently (albeit in a very subtle manner) the lecture from Carol Dweck still has me mulling over this....

Anyways it was finally the turn for child number three to have his first 'parent interview' at the school. I was met by a 'superhero' at the door. I've been trying to think back to when his big brothers stepped through those doors, and how they handled the experience. From memory BB stepped in quite confidently, took instruction well and looked up to the older children already settled in place. LL had to be helped out of his shell, and sat back soaking it all in and played an 'observer' role for the first year, I distinctly remember feeling pride when we had been told that he'd started interacting well and began putting his ideas forward. CC as it turns out has started two steps ahead of his brothers! He has settled straight in and it has been related that most of the 'child led' activities have been initiated by him. He is quite fatherly and looks out for the safety of others and is vocal and communicative (it was emphasised that this wasn't in a bad way!). All in all it seems that there is nothing to worry about. My 'baby' certainly is no more!

What I wonder is - had they been born in a different order, would they still have had the same approach to this new 'parent free' environment?

Proper characters.....on ice!

This week has been literacy week in school and the boys have had lots if activities including having me go in and read with them and visits from librarians and authors. It culminated today with them all dressing up as a favourite character from a book. 

BB went as Hiccup from 'How to Train Your Dragon'

LL went as Batman

and CC went as the Gruffalo (too cute!) using a costume borrowed from a friend :0)

They all bundled into school/nursery feeling quite pleased with themselves wearing their costumes.

The sun even decided to break through for the first time in about a fortnight, and a rainbow spread across the sky as they went in.

I had to pull over the car on the way home to take a picture as the light was just amazing. A great start to the day.

Later that day I set my mind to finally driving CC through to Forfar to give him a try of ice-skating at a special session for under 5's. He had the option of going onto the ice in his shoes, but I strapped on a pair of double blades and threw him in at the deep end. As BFS would say he was truly like Bambi on ice - but not put off he alternated all of the toys on the ice, including getting pulled along in a sledge. True to form I was informed that he wanted to do it 'by my own' and practised the little baby steps the coach told him to do. He had a ball - and we'll definitely be going back.

Fixed or Growth Mindset?

Today was the day where I was introduced (not literally) to Carol Dweck and learned a new thing about my children.

I've always been exasperated at the way that as soon as BB is faced with learning a new skill which he does doesn't automatically 'get' then he just switches off, dramatically states that he'll never understand (mostly with tears) and doesn't even try. The dramatics also come at any opportunity that he sees in which he may fail (losing at a game e.g), with him being such a bright kid it is so frustrating as you know that if he just listened and applied himself that he could progress himself and move on. 

Well, tonight I had a 'lightbulb moment' at a Parent Information evening at the school where we watched a lecture by Carol Dweck when I realised that he is a child if Fixed Mindset (as opposed to his little brother who is of Growth Mindset) and a lot of it may come down to the way in which we have been praising both of them. To summarise - BB is often praised on his achievements (well done - you're so clever to have done that!) as most things have come naturally to him and he doesn't really have to try hard in most areas, whereas LL gets praised more on the process. We know he's always had to work at things a bit more as he's been in his brother's shadow (well done -you must have worked so hard to manage that!) and I was oblivious until tonight about the subtle difference between the way the praise has been delivered and the massive impact it has made regarding the way that they approach learning and new challenges. 

One will only attempt something if it guarantees success (Fixed -BB) the other relishes the challenge as they appreciate the reward at the end! (Growth - LL)

The former is actually counter productive as it is slowly limiting the amount of things BB is willing to work at, and completely laughs in the face of the simple 'praise culture' which we've had imposed upon us in the past (positive praise creates confident learners) I now realise that it's not just the praise which important, but the way in which it is delivered!

I'm glad I've learned this while my children are so young, and I can put these tools into use, and hopefully change our Fixed mindset boy into a Growth one and he can reach his full potential :0) 

I'm off to gather together as many articles written by this brilliant woman as I can for some bedtime reading....