Child Quote by Carol Dweck
““After seven experiments with hundreds of children, we had some of the clearest findings I’ve ever seen: Praising children’s intelligence harms their motivation and it harms their performance. How can that be? Don’t children love to be praised? Yes, children love praise. And they especially love to be praised for their intelligence and talent. It really does give them a boost, a special glow—but only for the moment. The minute they hit a snag, their confidence goes out the window and their motivation hits rock bottom. If success means they’re smart, then failure means they’re dumb. That’s the fixed mindset.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol Dweck, 2006
Praising intelligence creates a fixed mindset, leading to fragile motivation and poorer performance when challenges arise.
In simple terms: Praising smartness can hurt motivation.
Key Takeaway
Focus on effort, not innate ability.
Themes
mindset
motivation
education
psychology
performance
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
educational
psychological
When to use this quote
- classroom teaching
- parental guidance
- coaching
- mentoring
Key Concepts
fixed mindset
growth mindset
self‑determination theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you shift feedback to emphasize effort?
- What strategies build a growth mindset in children?
A Different Perspective
If praise is misused, it can backfire and reduce resilience.
