There are several educational approaches and instructional philosophies that we value at the Village School for their effectiveness in helping students to build a strong social-emotional foundation, as well as cultivate beneficial habits of mind and character.
Growth Mindset
Integrated into Village School instruction is an emphasis on “growth mindset,” which is based on research carried out by Stanford University psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck (in her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success ). Growth mindset, simply stated, is a learner’s belief that their intelligence can expand and develop. In contrast, fixed mindset is a learner’s belief that their intelligence is a fixed, immutable trait.
Research has shown that when students have a growth mindset, they are more likely to challenge themselves, believe that they can achieve more, and become stronger, more resilient and creative problem solvers. Village School teachers actively work with students to focus on the process of learning, especially at the older grade levels where teachers talk with students about how the brain works and the analogy of the brain as a muscle that gets stronger with use and challenges. Students learn that their abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, reflection, and persistence. Risk-taking in learning is encouraged, and mistakes are contextualized as opportunities for growth. Teachers emphasize that mistakes are an expected and accepted part of the process of learning something new; and concepts such as “practice makes progress” and “not yet” are part of the learning curve. By embedding growth mindset principles into their instructional practices and classroom culture, Village School teachers help students to develop resilience, perseverance, adaptability, and empathy as part of the learning process. This shapes students into more confident, capable learners who are equipped to meet the demands of a complex future with curiosity, courage, and determination.
Responsive Classroom
This evidenced-based approach to education and student discipline emphasizes building a strong classroom community through intentional practices and principles such as cooperation, responsibility, empathy, and self-control. Teachers support their students in developing social-emotional skills that can help them navigate their emotions and social situations, such as labeling feelings, self-control and staying calm during conflict, coping, and problem solving. These skills and competencies are valuable in their own right in teaching students that by taking care of themselves, each other, and the school environment, everyone can learn at their best; and students will feel safe, respected, and connected (creating optimal conditions for learning). Responsive Classroom complements the concept of Growth Mindset and reinforces the building of a positive attitude and resilience regardless of circumstances. These characteristics will help Village School students throughout all stages of their academic journey, as well as in life and the workplace.
Let Grow
Let Grow reinforces the concept of growth mindset and its underlying principles by inspiring students (with the encouragement of their families and teachers) to take agency through independent “challenges by choice.” The skills and competencies that students can learn through the Let Grow program will reinforce the foundation that our students are building through Growth Mindset and Responsive Classroom practices. Click here to read a letter from the Head of School to families about the Let Grow Program, which is described as “a movement for childhood independence.”
