THE HABITS OF MIND
- A Habit of Mind is knowing how to behave intelligently when you DON'T know the answer.
- A Habit of Mind means having a disposition toward behaving intelligently when confronted with problems, the answers to which are not immediately known.
“We want our children to develop those habits that lead them to become lifelong learners, effective problem solvers and decision makers, able to communicate with a diverse population and to understand how to live successfully in a rapidly changing, high tech world.” Art Costa
Images © 2000 Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development,1703 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311 USA
This and other resources available at www.habitsofmind.org
The Habits of Mind are an important part of teaching and learning at College Street Normal School. The
Habits of Mind are useful for ALL members of our school community. As teachers and parents, we have
a great responsibility for instilling these dispositions in our future generation so they have theskills to be
successful life long learners. Embedding these behaviours into all learning areas both in school and
outside is critical. Students need to see these behaviours modelled by those around them. If we want
students to value the habits, we need to show them that we value them ourselves.
DEVELOPING THE HABITS OF MIND AT HOME
- Choose one or two Habits of Mind to focus on. Spend time family-watching and kid-watching, paying attention to daily interactions, dinner conversation, home learning time, how your children resolve conflicts etc. Think about the things you would like to change and choose the Habits of Mind that might help.
- Tell your children about a time that you used the Habit of Mind at work - explain how it helped you to be an effective and creative problem solver.
- Have a family story time. Read a book that illustrates the Habit of Mind your family is working on.
- When assisting your child with a project or home learning - start out by discussing which Habits of Mind will help to achieve doing this project thoughtfully, effectively, creatively and efficiently.
- Talk about times that you weren't successful and how a particular Habit of Mind would have helped turn the experience into a successful one.
- Comment when your child uses the Habits of Mind. For example, “I like the way you have been persisting with those math problems” or “When I was speaking with you, you were listening very thoughtfully to what I had to say.”
- Cut cartoons out that illustrate characters that use a Habit of Mind.
- Point out examples of Habits of Mind in books, a television program, in the news or in a movie.
- When reviewing home learning or school learning that has been completed, discuss what Habits of Mind helped to complete the task/activity.
- Discuss your child's learning goals in relation to the Habits of Mind. What Habits will help your child achieve their learning goals and how?
- Be a role model. Lead by example.
- Create a positive environment to support development of the Habits. You can do this by providing opportunities for your children to experience the Habits; by asking reflective and probing questions; by listening with intent to your child’s response; by your patient pauses as your child digs deeper to understand; by your nonjudgmental responses; by your commitment to align your values with your life choices – from how you spend time as a family to your efforts to change and improve.