February 9, 2015

The science of raising happily productive kids with Dr. Dona Matthews

Expert Dona Matthews presents ample research regarding how to help children flourish into happy and successful adults. Scott guides the interview across a wide array of vital domains including creativity, flow, standardized testing, growth mindsets and the many myths about intelligence.

By Scott Barry Kaufman

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This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

In this episode you will hear about:

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A more comprehensive definition of intelligence
How saying “you’re brilliant!” can actually hinder a child’s potential
The current state and evolving trends in education
Carol Dweck’s seminal research on “growth mindsets”
The importance of praising “process over talent”
How categorization of children can pigeon hole
How context and environment affect intelligence
The value of unstructured playtime and life balance
How even hyper-intelligent children can have learning issues
What it means to be both gifted and learning disabled
Common misconceptions associated with intelligence and talent
Practical tips for nurturing happy productivity

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Resources:

“Dona Matthews has a Master of Education and a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, where she was also executive director of the Millennium Dialogue on Early Child Development. She has taught at the University of British Columbia, Ryerson University, Brock University, and was associate professor at Hunter College, City University of New York, where she was the founding director of the Center for Gifted Studies and Education. Her previous books include The Development of Giftedness and Talent across the Life Span. She now lives in Toronto, where she contributes to Creativity Post and Parents Space, and writes a blog.” –Blurb taken from Amazon.com

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