Lawrence School

 

What is it? – Thinking before acting

Sounds like – “Just a minute, let me think” “What will happen if I do this?” “What’s the right thing for me to do now?”

Looks like – Looking both ways before crossing the street. Examining directions before beginning a task. Pausing.

Feels like – Slow down. Take a deep breath. Count to ten. Pause to think. This person cares enough to really listen to me. Comforting, Trusting, Vulnerable

Effective problem solvers are deliberate. They think before they act. They plan, set goals, and develop strategies for success. Reflective individuals consider alternatives and consequences of several possible directions before they take action. Often students blurt out the first answer that comes to mind. Sometimes they start to work without fully understanding the directions or lack an organized plan or strategy for approaching a problem or make immediate value judgments about an idea (criticizing or praising it). Students need to consider their alternatives and plan accordingly.

“Goal directed, self-imposed delay of gratification is perhaps the essence of emotional self-regulation: the ability to deny impulse in the service of a goal, whether it be building a business, solving an algebraic equation , getting a college degree, or pursuing the Stanley Cup. “ Daniel Goleman

Information on Habits of Mind are taken from the book Habits of Mind by Costa and Kallick.