As an IB* candidate school, we aim to develop certain values. This month we are practicing being inquirers.
According to the IB* learning profile, as inquirers, “We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life (International Baccalaureate Organization 2013).” I’m reminded of the work of Dr. Carol S. Dweck in her book, Mindset: How You Can Fulfil Your Potential (2012). In it, she outlines the characteristics of a “growth mindset” with ideas that we can all embrace as we enthusiastically sustain our love for learning and support our children in doing the same.
With a growth mindset, we understand that intelligence can be developed as we “embrace challenges and persist in face of setbacks,” according to Dweck (2012). While this may often seem like common sense, it can be really helpful if we fully explain and model this for children as they develop their skills as inquirers. When we see the inevitable pitfalls, failures, and challenges of life and learning as a normal part of the process and an opportunity to grow, we teach our children to see the road to mastery as one that entails work and practice. This helps them to persevere and understand the learning process as one that serves them regardless of difficulty.
Praising students for their effort and engaging them in asking meaningful questions allows them to find ownership and empowerment as they develop their own skills and support the development of their peers. What a great way to nurture curiosity! I see this everyday with my own children as they come home from school wanting to read or discover, excited for each new school day. The enthusiasm is contagious!
*Centro Educativo Futuro Verde is a candidate school* for the Diploma Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy- a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Centro Educativo Futuro Verde believes is important for our students. Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit http://www.ibo.org
