Psychology PreK-12 Teachers Should Know

I have always thought about the importance of teachers understanding the psychology essential to effective education, so I Googled what that would encompass. In 2015, the American Psychological Association, Coalition for Psychology in Schools and Education published Top 20 principles from psychology for preK–12 teaching and learning.The text was extensive as it discussed each principle thoroughly, so I will talk about a few of the most interesting principles I read about.

"Students’ beliefs or perceptions about intelligence and ability affect their cognitive functioning and learning," (6). There are those who see intelligence as something malleable, and those who hold intelligence to be a fixed trait. The students who hold the first view are more likely to take on challenges and respond to criticism and feedback constructively. The students who hold the latter view are more defensive in their work and feel the need to prove their ability and intelligence rather than expand their knowledge. This is important for teachers to know because they can promote their students to approach education with an open and ambitious mindset rather than defensive mindset. As soon as people believe that they can be top students and that their capability is not predetermined, they will be able to reach their highest potential. 



"Student creativity can be fostered," (14). Creative approaches to teaching motivates students to have thoughts of their own which is beneficial in personal growth, workforce success, and solving real life issues. The ability to identify and solve problems is of great importance as the 21st century is bringing many rising issues into consideration. Only so much can be done to progress the world knowing formulas and facts. The world needs creativity to create solutions to stop global warming, make advancements in the medical and technical fields, educate the upcoming generations more effectively, etc. Teachers can promote creativity by showing and letting students have a wide range of approaches to problem solving. Educators should encourage diverse thought rather than enforce conformity.

"Students tend to enjoy learning and perform better when they are more intrinsically than extrinsically motivated to achieve," (16). Students work effectively on things that they are personally motivated to accomplish. Their goals are set for the purpose of satisfying themselves rather than those around them. Teachers should take this into consideration to promote a student's feeling of autonomy and competence in school. This principle has especially affected me in the midst of junior year. Distinguishing my personal goals from the expectations of my peers and family has been a major turning point in how I approach any task I decide to put my time and effort into. As soon as I establish a personal motive for any assignment I must complete, the quality and significance of my work boosts up. Most of the time, these personal motives revolve around the assignment making me either a more educated member of society or a more understanding member of the world.

Psychology about education is crucial for teachers to be cognizant of. The minds of the future generations are shaped by the educators of the world, so it is only appropriate for them to understand the inner-workings of these minds.

- Sarah