RE-RELEASE: Becoming Brilliant – Interview with Prof. Roberta Golinkoff

In just a few years, today’s children and teens will forge careers that look nothing like those that were available to their parents or grandparents. While the U.S. economy becomes ever more information-driven, our system of education seems stuck on the idea that “content is king,” neglecting other skills that 21st century citizens sorely need.   Backed by the latest scientific evidence and illustrated with examples of what’s being done right in schools today, Becoming Brilliant (Affiliate link) introduces the “6Cs” collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative innovation, and confidence along with ways parents can nurture their children’s development in each area.   Join me for an engaging chat with award-winning Professor Roberta Golinkoff about the key takeaways from the book.   Jump to highlights 00:33 Introduction to the episode and guest Dr. Roberta Golinkoff 02:04 Why she and Kathy Hirsh-Pasek wrote Becoming Brilliant 04:02 The book's mission statement and the Six Cs framework 09:09 Why memorization alone isn't enough anymore 13:07 Content: following a toddler's curiosity, from dinosaurs to spiders 19:08 Letting go of the pressure to set up "learning activities" 21:08 Strive for Five: what makes a real back-and-forth conversation 23:14 Beyond the 30 million word gap: why quality of talk matters more than quantity 28:38 Grit, failure, and modeling perseverance for kids 32:27 Reconciling praise, rewards, and Carol Dweck's growth mindset research 37:57 Being your child's advocate inside an imperfect school system   References Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit Scale. Available at: http://angeladuckworth.com/grit-scale/  (Duckworth also wrote a book, although I haven’t read it…yet…: http://angeladuckworth.com/grit-book/)

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Dweck, C. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York, NY: Random House.

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Golinkoff, R.M., & Hirsch-Pasek, K. (2016). Becoming Brilliant: What science tells us about raising successful children.  Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.

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Kohn, A. (1999). Punished By Rewards. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.