This workshop is created as a result of a conversation with Lorraine Murphy, a mum of 3 children, 1 of whom is deaf. Lorraine first suggested to me that Theory of Mind and a Growth Mindset are linked.
Having a strong Theory of Mind (ToM) is crucial for developing social skills and in making and keeping friends.
Theory of Mind is the understanding that other people see the world differently to me. Previously, it was believed that this is an area of difficulty only for children on the Autistic Spectrum. It has only been in recent years that we have begun to understand that any child who has experienced early language delay, including deaf children, can struggle in this area too.
A ‘Growth Mindset’ can enable a child learn to turn failure into a positive experience, to develop resilience and it can enable them to develop a simple belief in themselves.
How are the two inter-linked?
This workshop examines how we can help our children develop a ‘theory of mind’, to begin to understand that others have different feelings, motives, beliefs and thoughts than we do, and we can also learn to predict how someone might think and in developing a Growth Mindset, we can learn to understand and accept ourselves and then learn to understand and accept each other too.
The two are inextricably linked.
Learning Intentions of the workshop:
Delegates will:
Understand and Explore a Theory of Mind
Understand and Explore a Fixed or Growth Mindset is (according to Dr. Carol Dweck)
Understand and Explore how a developed Theory of Mind can impact on a child’s social skills, produce ‘challenging behaviour’
Consider how developing a Growth Mindset can help develop both friendships and how we approach learning.
Many thanks to Lorraine for her thoughts.
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