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Parent Education: Nurturing a Growth Mindset in Children

September 23, 2022 @ 8:45 am - 9:45 am
Denver Waldorf School Parent Education Growth Mindset

How to Shift from Fixed Mindset to Growth Mindset

Are there areas in your child’s life where they are not motivated or inspired, give up easily, stay away from challenges, want to be perfect, and sometimes even lie about their performance? For some of our children, it might be music; for others, it might be academics or sports or having to talk to peers in school or on the playground. If so, those are areas where a child has a fixed mindset. Join us for a presentation led by Denver Waldorf School Counselor Madhuri Deshmukh and Student Support Direct Andrea Weid on shifting from fixed mindset to growth mindset.

Date: Friday, September 23rd, 2022

Time: 8:45-9:45am; Join us for Coffee in the Courtyard starting at 8am

Location: DWS Music Room

Please note childcare is not provided.

What You’ll Learn

This workshop focuses on understanding a growth mindset and how we can teach our kids to accept mistakes, encounter challenges, and problem-solve.  Specifically, you’ll learn:

  • The five core needs of children and teens as they grow toward healthy sexual maturity, and the five corresponding nurturing roles for families and school
  • The misplaced anxieties that keep adults from recognizing what is truly age-appropriate for kids to know
  • How to look behind children’s eyes, see what they see, and discover what they’re really wondering about
  • How to reduce discomfort and embarrassment—your own and your child’s
  • Research that demonstrates how vital early and ongoing conversations about sexuality are to health and well beings
  • Creating authentic partnerships between families and schools around sexuality education

What is Growth Mindset

The growth mindset is a theory invented by Stanford professor Carol Dweck, Ph.D., in early 2000. It is a belief that we can learn and develop abilities. People with a growth mindset recognize the value of accepting challenges and learning from mistakes. They see that despite their natural ability, they can improve their skills with effort and perseverance. On the contrary, people with a fixed mindset believe that you are either born with talent/abilities or not, and nothing can alter it; you cannot develop or enhance abilities. A child with a fixed mindset often thinks they cannot be successful because they are not good at something. For example; Fixed mindset: “I am not good at numbers, so I will never learn my math facts!” vs. Growth mindset:  “If I practice every night for 20 minutes, I will learn my multiplication facts!”

Firstly, we all need to celebrate mistakes. When children make mistakes, it is essential to help them see it as an opportunity for Growth. Remember, it is not uncommon for all of us to have a fixed mindset about some areas of our lives and a growth mindset about others. It does not only apply to academic success —we can have a growth mindset about relationships or even social problems. Furthermore, we can all change our attitudes and grow our abilities and skills.

About Madhuri Deshmukh

Madhuri Deshmukh is a school counselor at Denver Waldorf School. She graduated from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, earning her Master’s in Counseling Psychology – School Counseling and Mental Health. During the last three years, she worked as a school counselor in Douglas County School District. Before her previous job as a school counselor, she served as a counseling intern for almost two years in an alternative, Positive Behavioral Intervention Support (PBIS) research school in Pennsylvania. She served students with emotional difficulties and special educational needs on Tier III level emotional and behavioral support. She also comes from the extensive experience of her work with children with trauma, neglect, and abuse. In addition to her work at The  Denver Waldorf School, she is a clinical intern with a nonprofit organization that offers mental health services to underserved families and children. She grew up in India and is close to her family, home, and culture. Madhuri likes to volunteer for various causes, hang out with friends, shop, travel, and explore new places and cultures in her free time. She is passionate about mental health and is grateful to have the opportunity to work with children.

About The Denver Waldorf School

The Denver Waldorf School is an urban pre-K through 12 independent school in Colorado. Founded in 1974 on Rudolf Steiner’s humanitarian curriculum, DWS believes education should foster what it is to be human, cultivate lifelong curiosity, and inspire a love for the world. We are currently enrolling for in-person learning:

Want to learn more about us? Learn more about our in-person and virtual events, read our blog, or take a listen to our podcast.

Event Registration

 

 

Details

  • Date: September 23, 2022
  • Time:
    8:45 am - 9:45 am
  • Event Category:

Planning is well underway for our 52nd Annual Denver Waldorf School Winter Fair! We are calling all makers, creators, and crafters come join us as a vendor at the Artisan Market! We would love for you to share your artistry and handcrafted items with our community during our adults-only shopping event “UnWined” on the evening of 12/4 as well as our Winter Fair on 12/5. Our artisan market is full of talented artisans and makers of unique holiday gifts and handcrafted items - we’d love for you to be a part of it all! ❄️
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And for our DWS staff, parents of current students, and alumni - did you know there is a special exhibitor rate? It’s just $35 to join (and no application fee). And students are free 😊.

Comment “Merchant” for a direct link to apply!

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 18085085564505457
Planning is well underway for our 52nd Annual Denver Waldorf School Winter Fair! We are calling all makers, creators, and crafters come join us as a vendor at the Artisan Market! We would love for you to share your artistry and handcrafted items with our community during our adults-only shopping event “UnWined” on the evening of 12/4 as well as our Winter Fair on 12/5. Our artisan market is full of talented artisans and makers of unique holiday gifts and handcrafted items - we’d love for you to be a part of it all! ❄️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And for our DWS staff, parents of current students, and alumni - did you know there is a special exhibitor rate? It’s just $35 to join (and no application fee). And students are free 😊. Comment “Merchant” for a direct link to apply!

Yesterday, our 7th and 8th graders adventured into the foothills for a lesson from the trees at the Genesee Challenge Course.

With a harness, some ropes, and plenty of enthusiastic encouragement from their classmates, they each discovered new boundaries within themselves. The heart-pounding moments and “I’m scared!”s were very much present, but so were many moments of bravery that followed.

It was wonderful to witness their growth, courage, and teamwork emerge throughout the course as they cheered on one another, pushed past their comfort zones, and enjoyed the beautiful day under the open sky.

We’re grateful for these experiences that stay with us long after the lesson comes to an end!

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Yesterday, our 7th and 8th graders adventured into the foothills for a lesson from the trees at the Genesee Challenge Course. With a harness, some ropes, and plenty of enthusiastic encouragement from their classmates, they each discovered new boundaries within themselves. The heart-pounding moments and “I’m scared!”s were very much present, but so were many moments of bravery that followed. It was wonderful to witness their growth, courage, and teamwork emerge throughout the course as they cheered on one another, pushed past their comfort zones, and enjoyed the beautiful day under the open sky. We’re grateful for these experiences that stay with us long after the lesson comes to an end!

There is a growing call to increase time for learning not in the classroom- but on the playground at recess! Research continues to highlight the link between recess and stronger academic performance, and communities and lawmakers across the country are taking notice - advocating for more recess time for unstructured play during the school day.

This has always been a priority in our Waldorf education - and so our students have two recesses! In addition to starting our mornings under the open skies with a jump rope or lap around the field, our elementary and middle school students all heed that call for time outside TWICE a day (in every season, and all kinds of weather).

Free play in the outdoors is a breath out for our students after taking in an academic lesson - giving room for movement to keep our students engaged and ready to learn. We are always grateful to be able to soak in the many benefits that nature provides for social, emotional, physical, and academic development.

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 17960823936197441
There is a growing call to increase time for learning not in the classroom- but on the playground at recess! Research continues to highlight the link between recess and stronger academic performance, and communities and lawmakers across the country are taking notice - advocating for more recess time for unstructured play during the school day. This has always been a priority in our Waldorf education - and so our students have two recesses! In addition to starting our mornings under the open skies with a jump rope or lap around the field, our elementary and middle school students all heed that call for time outside TWICE a day (in every season, and all kinds of weather). Free play in the outdoors is a breath out for our students after taking in an academic lesson - giving room for movement to keep our students engaged and ready to learn. We are always grateful to be able to soak in the many benefits that nature provides for social, emotional, physical, and academic development.

Celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, with tradition, reflection, and new beginnings in our 3rd grade. 

In our Waldorf elementary program, each grade explores a unique literary theme as a foundation for language arts. For 3rd grade, the journey through ancient Hebrew stories inspires integrated lessons in culture, music, and community. This celebration of Rosh Hashanah is more than a classroom activity, it’s a lesson that weaves in global consciousness and a respect for the diverse traditions that shape our world.

Ms. Tezak’s 3rd grade class invited families to celebrate together, welcoming the new year with the sound of the shofar, or ram’s horn. We went around the circle and spoke about what we’re grateful for. We broke round challah, whose endless circle symbolizes the turning of the seasons and the seamless transition from one year to the next. We shared apples and honey for a sweet new year, and pomegranate seeds to represent the many blessings and mitzvahs- good deeds- we hope to bring into the year ahead.

L’Shanah Tovah!

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 18003364946989640
Celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, with tradition, reflection, and new beginnings in our 3rd grade.  In our Waldorf elementary program, each grade explores a unique literary theme as a foundation for language arts. For 3rd grade, the journey through ancient Hebrew stories inspires integrated lessons in culture, music, and community. This celebration of Rosh Hashanah is more than a classroom activity, it’s a lesson that weaves in global consciousness and a respect for the diverse traditions that shape our world. Ms. Tezak’s 3rd grade class invited families to celebrate together, welcoming the new year with the sound of the shofar, or ram’s horn. We went around the circle and spoke about what we’re grateful for. We broke round challah, whose endless circle symbolizes the turning of the seasons and the seamless transition from one year to the next. We shared apples and honey for a sweet new year, and pomegranate seeds to represent the many blessings and mitzvahs- good deeds- we hope to bring into the year ahead. L’Shanah Tovah!

Place value coming to life for our 2nd graders! In our Waldorf classroom, we weave together stories, art, and hands-on learning to give the children many creative pathways into their learning.

For a lesson in math, this means that the lesson is much more than memorization - it instead involves a variety of approaches that incorporate visual and kinesthetic representations of the concept. The students see, touch, and experience the concepts in a tangible way, making for a meaningful lesson. With these diverse experiences, their learning comes to life with deep understanding and enthusiasm!

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 17868832329649443
Place value coming to life for our 2nd graders! In our Waldorf classroom, we weave together stories, art, and hands-on learning to give the children many creative pathways into their learning. For a lesson in math, this means that the lesson is much more than memorization - it instead involves a variety of approaches that incorporate visual and kinesthetic representations of the concept. The students see, touch, and experience the concepts in a tangible way, making for a meaningful lesson. With these diverse experiences, their learning comes to life with deep understanding and enthusiasm!

Plein air painting (painting outdoors) with our seniors 🌳. Practicing the arts is just one way that we strengthen our ability to recognize the beauty of nature and to appreciate our environment. And leaving the four walls of our classrooms behind for the open air and surrounding trees certainly engages all senses as we observe the world around us!

If you ask them, I think they would agree that it’s a wonderful way to begin the high school day - immersed in nature, creativity, and thoughtful observation.

And plein air painting is just one part of our rich arts curriculum - there are more than 40 art classes integrated into our high school curriculum, spanning fine, visual, performing, and industrial arts. The result is that our students become strong, curious thinkers who are equally at home in the world of academic scholarship as they are in artistic and creative expression. 🌿

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 18120614644918713
Plein air painting (painting outdoors) with our seniors 🌳. Practicing the arts is just one way that we strengthen our ability to recognize the beauty of nature and to appreciate our environment. And leaving the four walls of our classrooms behind for the open air and surrounding trees certainly engages all senses as we observe the world around us! If you ask them, I think they would agree that it’s a wonderful way to begin the high school day - immersed in nature, creativity, and thoughtful observation. And plein air painting is just one part of our rich arts curriculum - there are more than 40 art classes integrated into our high school curriculum, spanning fine, visual, performing, and industrial arts. The result is that our students become strong, curious thinkers who are equally at home in the world of academic scholarship as they are in artistic and creative expression. 🌿

Take a peek into our new nursery program - this is our Marigold Garden! Located just east of our main campus, Marigold Garden provides a warm, homelike environment for children ages 2 1/2 - 4 1/2. Our days are guided by a gentle rhythm that includes ample outdoor time in our freshly mulched play yard, songs and circle games, nutritious snacks, and festive fun. It is a place where childhood is honored, and each child is nurtured in who they are becoming.

Comment Marigold Garden to learn more about our Early Childhood Program!

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 18091137620653856
Take a peek into our new nursery program - this is our Marigold Garden! Located just east of our main campus, Marigold Garden provides a warm, homelike environment for children ages 2 1/2 - 4 1/2. Our days are guided by a gentle rhythm that includes ample outdoor time in our freshly mulched play yard, songs and circle games, nutritious snacks, and festive fun. It is a place where childhood is honored, and each child is nurtured in who they are becoming. Comment Marigold Garden to learn more about our Early Childhood Program!

As always in the beginning of a new school year, it is beautiful to see the new friendships and connections blossoming all around us. One of the unique gifts of being a K-12 school are the opportunities for our young students to get to know our older students!

A treasured Waldorf tradition is the pairing of a first grader with an eighth grade buddy. And as we met together to share a potluck on the playground and meet for the first time, we were reminded just how special these connections can be.

Throughout the year, these buddies will meet regularly to play, share conversation, and celebrate the seasons as they grow together in confidence and community!

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 18441723814126798
As always in the beginning of a new school year, it is beautiful to see the new friendships and connections blossoming all around us. One of the unique gifts of being a K-12 school are the opportunities for our young students to get to know our older students! A treasured Waldorf tradition is the pairing of a first grader with an eighth grade buddy. And as we met together to share a potluck on the playground and meet for the first time, we were reminded just how special these connections can be. Throughout the year, these buddies will meet regularly to play, share conversation, and celebrate the seasons as they grow together in confidence and community!

It’s the first week of school, so we thought we would give a glimpse into our classrooms all ready for the 2026-27 school year. With the new addition of our Marigold Garden Nursery, ceramics studio, freshly lazured hallway, and more - there has been much work of our hearts and hands over the summer in preparation for this beginning of year!

As you wander our hallways, we hope you are washed over by the warmth and welcoming nature of our classrooms. The beauty is not just meant to please the eye. The beauty is meant to be an invitation - to wonder, to be curious, to imagine, to create, to appreciate. To inspire and to engage. To feel that sense of belonging. We look forward to all that is to come in these spaces as we work to develop the capacities within us to meet the world with courage, creativity, and compassion.

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 17942470755315786
It’s the first week of school, so we thought we would give a glimpse into our classrooms all ready for the 2026-27 school year. With the new addition of our Marigold Garden Nursery, ceramics studio, freshly lazured hallway, and more - there has been much work of our hearts and hands over the summer in preparation for this beginning of year! As you wander our hallways, we hope you are washed over by the warmth and welcoming nature of our classrooms. The beauty is not just meant to please the eye. The beauty is meant to be an invitation - to wonder, to be curious, to imagine, to create, to appreciate. To inspire and to engage. To feel that sense of belonging. We look forward to all that is to come in these spaces as we work to develop the capacities within us to meet the world with courage, creativity, and compassion.

Today, we welcomed a new school year. As we do every year, we began with our Rose Ceremony - an event that marks the transition from one stage of life to another.

For our first graders, it is a moment of deep change: releasing a parent’s hand and taking the hand of an eighth grade buddy, then receiving a rose from our seniors. For all of us, it is a moment to pause, to just be, and to honor the fleeting beauty of where we are right now.

The Rose Ceremony recognizes a new beginning for every student this year, but with special meaning for our first, eighth, and twelfth graders - who are standing at the bridge of a fresh chapter.

And so, as we look ahead to all that this year will hold, we can tell you that time will pass here meaningfully - marked by joy in learning, togetherness, curiosity, and seasons. We are grateful to be able to be a part of this deeply rich educational journey with our students. To be able to not only see, hear, and feel - but to know with heart. Welcome to this new season at DWS. 🌹

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 18109478291129006
Today, we welcomed a new school year. As we do every year, we began with our Rose Ceremony - an event that marks the transition from one stage of life to another. For our first graders, it is a moment of deep change: releasing a parent’s hand and taking the hand of an eighth grade buddy, then receiving a rose from our seniors. For all of us, it is a moment to pause, to just be, and to honor the fleeting beauty of where we are right now. The Rose Ceremony recognizes a new beginning for every student this year, but with special meaning for our first, eighth, and twelfth graders - who are standing at the bridge of a fresh chapter. And so, as we look ahead to all that this year will hold, we can tell you that time will pass here meaningfully - marked by joy in learning, togetherness, curiosity, and seasons. We are grateful to be able to be a part of this deeply rich educational journey with our students. To be able to not only see, hear, and feel - but to know with heart. Welcome to this new season at DWS. 🌹

PreK-12th Grade

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The Denver Waldorf School

2100 S. Pennsylvania St.
Denver, CO 80210
p) 303-777-0531
f) 303-744-1216
[email protected]

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