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:

• 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’s book with Joanne Foster, Beyond Intelligence
• The Development of Giftedness and Talent Across the Life Span
• Dona’s website
• An explanation of “Flow”
• TED talk – Carol Dweck on growth mindsets
• “Four Faces of Creativity: The Continuing Plight of the Intellectually Underserved” by Daniel Keating
• “The Nature of Creativity” by Robert Sternberg
• An explanation of “Twice Exceptionality”

“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

This article originally appeared on Scientific American.