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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.

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


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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.

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

Scott Barry Kaufman is a humanistic psychologist exploring the depths of human potential. He has taught courses on intelligence, creativity and well-being at Columbia University, N.Y.U., the University of Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. He hosts the Psychology Podcast and is author and/or editor of nine books, including Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization, Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind (with Carolyn Gregoire), and Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined. Find out more at http://ScottBarryKaufman.com. In 2015 he was named one of "50 groundbreaking scientists who are changing the way we see the world" by Business Insider. He wrote the extremely popular Beautiful Minds blog for Scientific American for close to a decade. Follow him on X.

More by Scott Barry Kaufman