Self-esteem and self-limiting

For a few decades, it’s been noted that a large percentage of all gifted students severely underestimate their own abilities. They adopt lower standards for success and expect less of themselves. They underrate the importance of effort, and they overrate how much help they need from a parent.

When parents praise their children’s intelligence, they believe they are providing the solution to this problem... ensuring that children do not sell their talents short.

But a growing body of research strongly suggests it might be the other way around. Giving kids the label of “smart” does not prevent them from underperforming. It might actually be causing it.

From article How Not to Talk to Your Kids, By Po Bronson

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