Teaching Kids That Intellect And Talent Are Earned Not Genetic.

Scientific American has an article called "The Secret to Raising Smart Kids" in which Carol Dweck describes two mind sets.

The first is where kids are told that they are smart and talented. This seems like a positive thing. But, it tells kids the understanding that how well they do something is a reflecting on themselves and there is nothing they can do about it. When these kids get to high school and college this becomes detrimental. With every low grade or failure to be the best they believe that there is something wrong with them making them more likely to cheat are dropout from frustration.

The second is where kids are told that intelligence and talent are earned and require work and practice. In this case every bad grade or failure is looked on as a new challenge. These students don't put the infuses on good grades but rather learning, and in doing so having the adverse(I mean happy coincidence) affect getting the good grades.

So start of early and the next time you child does something good. Don't say, "Wow, good job. You are really smart." Instead say, "Wow, good job. You must have worked really hard to do that."

This little variation on the emphasis from the reword to the work, could mean the difference between, dropping out of high school and getting a PHD.