Habits of mind are a set of dispositions that people need to implement when confronted with problems and situations to which the answers are not immediately apparent.
They provide children of all ages with a framework for autonomous learning, critical thinking and effective inquiry. Created by Arthur Costa and Bena Kallick, they offer sixteen characteristics of successful learners.
1. Confidence
Having confidence is a habit of mind that can help you feel more empowered and in control of your life. It can also help you cope with fear and anxiety, self-doubt, rejection and other negative emotions.
To build confidence, focus on what you are good at and what makes you unique. This can be anything from a specific skill or talent to your personality traits or the people who have supported you.
It is also useful to set yourself ‘confidence targets’ that require you to step out of your comfort zone and do things that make you feel nervous or uncomfortable. Using this as an extra push can be the key to getting you through something that you might otherwise put off or avoid for fear of failure.
2. Curiosity
Curiosity is a mental habit that encourages us to seek new information, which can be an important source of learning. It also increases the amount of time we spend focused on a stimulus, which can be an important factor in memory formation.
It’s an essential habit of mind to develop. It can help us uncover new possibilities and open up worlds we never knew existed.
There are two main types of curiosity that we can experience: perceptual and epistemic. While perceptual curiosity is a natural drive to explore, epistemic curiosity is more about seeking out knowledge.
3. Persistence
Persistence is a key skill that many successful people possess. They have a vision of what they want to achieve and they devote significant effort and energy to reaching that goal.
They are motivated by their belief that all the effort they put in today will count towards their eventual goals. They are able to overcome setbacks, adversity, and delays in order to reach their goal.
Students with this habit of mind have a method for solving problems and know what data they need to find the right answer. They also have the ability to think flexibly and try several strategies before coming up with a solution.
4. Openness to Learning
Openness to learning is an important habit of mind that encourages exploration and creativity. It also contributes to an individual’s adaptability and fulfillment in life.
The trait is sometimes referred to as “receptivity.” It reflects an individual’s ability to seek new ideas, experiences, and perspectives.
It is one of the five personality traits that can be measured by personality tests.
People with high scores on this trait are often curious, imaginative, and creative. They are also able to tolerate ambiguity and uncertainty, as compared to closed individuals who prefer certainty.
5. Metacognition
Metacognition is a key aspect of learning that involves self-reflection. It helps you understand your own thinking and learning process, and can improve your overall academic performance.
Many teachers encourage students to reflect on their own learning processes and use that information to make themselves better learners. This can help students identify their strengths and weaknesses so they can focus on acquiring more knowledge in specific subjects.
Neuroscientists have been investigating the nature of metacognition since the early twentieth century. The field was originally rooted in studies on memory and then expanded into other academic areas such as problem solving, reasoning and communication.