Giving Children Speed To Help Them Get Better Grades

Explore the impacts of giving children speed for grades. Understand the ethical implications and alternatives.

Published On

May 13, 2024

Dove Recovery's Team

Giving Children Speed To Help Them Get Better Grades

Understanding the Concept

Before delving into the practical applications and implications of the "fake it until you make it" strategy, it's crucial to comprehend what this phrase truly means.

Definition of 'Fake it Until You Make it'

"Fake it until you make it" is a common English aphorism that encourages individuals to imitate confidence, competence, and an optimistic mindset until they achieve these qualities in reality. The premise behind this strategy is that by acting in a particular way, one can realize those behaviors in their actual life. It's a form of self-fulfillment and manifestation.

However, it's important to note that this concept doesn't advocate for dishonesty or deceit. Instead, it's about believing in one's capacity to succeed and adopting behaviors and attitudes that support this belief – even if it feels a bit uncomfortable or unnatural at first.

In the context of children's academic journey, "faking it until you make it" might translate to adopting study habits, attitudes, or techniques that successful students utilize, even if they initially feel challenging or unfamiliar. The idea is that over time, these actions will become second nature, and the student will genuinely embody the successful attitudes they were emulating. This is not about giving children speed to help them get better grades but more about empowering them with the right mindset and habits to enhance their academic performance.

Psychology Behind the Approach

The psychology behind the "fake it until you make it" approach is deeply rooted in behavioral and cognitive theories. This section will explore how this approach can shape behavior and influence confidence.

Behavioral Implications

The "fake it until you make it" strategy is rooted in the concept of self-perception theory. This theory posits that individuals infer their attitudes and beliefs from observing their own behavior. In essence, if a person starts acting in a certain way (even if it's initially insincere), they may eventually come to genuinely believe and embody that behavior.

For children, this approach can be applied to academic pursuits. For example, a child who struggles with math may be encouraged to act as if they are proficient at it. They might be asked to adopt the habits and mindset of a strong mathematician, such as practicing regularly, being persistent in solving problems, and seeking help when needed. Over time, the child may begin to truly adopt these behaviors and attitudes, leading to an actual improvement in their math skills.

Impact on Confidence

Confidence plays a crucial role in the "fake it until you make it" approach. By acting confident, individuals can actually begin to feel more self-assured. This is related to the concept of "embodied cognition," which suggests that our physical actions can influence our thoughts and emotions.

In the context of children's academic journey, acting confident in their abilities can lead to genuine confidence over time. For instance, a child who is unsure about their reading skills might be encouraged to act as if they are a confident reader. This could involve reading aloud in front of others, asking questions about the text, and expressing opinions about what they've read. As the child engages in these confident behaviors, they may start to feel more self-assured about their reading abilities.

The "fake it until you make it" approach is not about dishonesty or pretending to have skills that one doesn't possess. Rather, it's a strategy for fostering positive behaviors and attitudes that can lead to genuine growth and improvement. It's important to remember that while this approach can be beneficial, it should be used with care and consideration for each child's unique needs and capabilities.

Practical Applications

The concept of 'fake it until you make it' has wide-ranging applications in both professional and personal settings. Its premises can be utilized to help individuals overcome challenges, boost confidence, and achieve goals.

Professional Settings

In professional environments, 'fake it until you make it' often serves as a strategy for individuals to adapt to new roles or responsibilities. For instance, a novice employee might not have the experience or skills that their job demands initially. However, by emulating the attitudes, behaviors, and methods of more experienced colleagues, they can gradually learn and become proficient.

The approach can also be useful during job interviews. If an individual lacks confidence, they can 'fake' self-assuredness to make a positive impression on the interviewer. This feigned confidence can ultimately become real as the person internalizes the positive behavior.

However, it's crucial to note that 'faking it' does not advocate dishonesty or misrepresentation of skills. It's more about embodying the mindset and behaviors associated with success in a particular role, even if one doesn't feel entirely secure yet.

Personal Development

In terms of personal development, 'fake it until you make it' can be a powerful tool for overcoming self-doubt and building self-confidence. For instance, someone who struggles with public speaking might pretend to be confident when delivering a speech. Over time, this pretended confidence can become ingrained, reducing fear and improving performance.

The approach can also be applied in social situations. If an individual feels shy or awkward, they can pretend to be outgoing and relaxed. This act can eventually lead to genuine comfort and ease in social interactions.

In essence, 'fake it until you make it' is about acting out the qualities or behaviors one wants to embody until they become a part of one's character. It's a form of self-improvement that can be effectively used to overcome personal challenges and achieve desired outcomes.

However, like any strategy, 'fake it until you make it' should be applied judiciously. It is not a substitute for genuine learning or personal growth, but rather a tool that can aid in these processes. It's also essential to maintain authenticity and stay true to one's values while using this approach.

Ethical Considerations

While the "fake it until you make it" mentality can be a practical approach in certain circumstances, it's also crucial to consider the ethical implications of this strategy, particularly when it's applied to academic contexts such as giving children speed to help them get better grades.

Moral Implications

The moral implications of this approach can be significant. Encouraging children to adopt this mindset can inadvertently send the message that it's acceptable to feign knowledge or skills they may not yet have fully developed. This could potentially lead to a scenario where a child feels compelled to misrepresent their abilities, which conflicts with the fundamental values of honesty and authenticity.

Further, this strategy may also place undue pressure on children to perform at a level that may not be aligned with their current capabilities. This could result in stress, anxiety, and a skewed perception of success, where the emphasis is placed more on the appearance of competence rather than genuine understanding or skill development.

Effects on Integrity

In addition to the moral implications, the "fake it until you make it" approach can also have a profound impact on a child's sense of integrity. Integrity involves being truthful and consistent in one's actions, values, methods, and outcomes. If children are encouraged to "fake" their abilities, they may start to question their own integrity and the value of their genuine efforts.

Over time, this could potentially undermine their self-confidence and self-esteem, as they may begin to feel that their real abilities are not good enough or valued. Moreover, this could also affect their relationships with peers and teachers, who might perceive a discrepancy between the child's projected abilities and their actual performance.

It's important to note that while the "fake it until you make it" strategy can serve as a temporary confidence booster, it should not replace genuine learning and skill development. Encouraging authenticity and continuous learning is crucial in fostering a healthy academic environment that values integrity and genuine achievement.

Given these ethical considerations, it's clear that the "fake it until you make it" approach is a complex issue that requires careful thought and consideration, particularly when applied in academic settings.

Criticisms and Alternatives

While the "fake it until you make it" approach can provide a boost of confidence and help in the development of new skills, it's also important to recognize the limitations of this strategy and consider alternative mindsets.

Limitations of the Strategy

One of the main criticisms of the "fake it until you make it" approach is that it can lead to a lack of authenticity. Constantly projecting an image that doesn't align with one's true feelings or abilities can be exhausting and stressful. It may also result in others having unrealistic expectations, which could lead to disappointment when the true capabilities are revealed.

Furthermore, this strategy doesn't address the underlying issues that may be affecting performance or confidence. For instance, if a child is struggling with a particular subject at school, merely encouraging them to act as if they understand it doesn't help them actually learn the material. This could lead to a widening gap in their knowledge over time.

Lastly, the "fake it until you make it" mentality can potentially lead to a false sense of competence. Without proper feedback and reflection, individuals might believe they've mastered a skill or topic when in fact, they have only scratched the surface. This could hinder further learning and growth.

Alternative Mindsets

Considering these limitations, it can be beneficial to explore alternative mindsets that emphasize authenticity, continual learning, and self-awareness.

One such mindset is the "growth mindset", popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck. This mindset encourages the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. Rather than pretending to have a skill or understanding, individuals with a growth mindset focus on learning, practicing, and improving.

Another alternative is the concept of "beginner's mind" from Zen Buddhism, also known as "Shoshin". This mindset involves approaching situations without preconceptions, as a beginner would. It encourages openness, eagerness, and a lack of bias when studying a subject. This can help in true understanding and mastery, rather than just the appearance of it.

Lastly, the practice of mindfulness can be a useful tool. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. This can help individuals to stay grounded in reality and to recognize their actual feelings and capabilities without the need for pretense.

In conclusion, while the "fake it until you make it" strategy can be useful in certain situations, it's important to be aware of its limitations and to consider alternative approaches that foster genuine understanding, growth, and self-awareness.

Final Thoughts

Approaching the end of our exploration of the concept "fake it until you make it", it's essential to remember that every strategy has its strengths and weaknesses. This is no different.

Balanced Perspective

The essence of the "fake it until you make it" philosophy isn't to promote dishonesty or deceit, but rather to emphasize the power of positive thinking and self-belief. It encourages individuals to step out of their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and work towards their goals with determination and confidence.

However, when applied to contexts such as children's academic journey, careful consideration must be taken. It's crucial to understand that the goal isn't to speed up the learning process or push children to achieve better grades at an accelerated pace. Instead, it's about instilling a mindset of resilience, perseverance, and self-efficacy.

Children should be encouraged to explore their interests and strengths in their own time, without feeling pressured to keep up with unrealistic expectations. In the long run, this approach can help foster a genuine love for learning, promote intellectual curiosity, and contribute to the development of well-rounded individuals.

Simultaneously, it's vital to recognize that "faking it until making it" should not be used as an excuse to avoid addressing underlying issues or challenges. If a child is struggling academically, it's important to provide the necessary support and resources, rather than simply encouraging them to pretend everything is fine.

In conclusion, while the "fake it until you make it" philosophy can be a powerful tool for boosting self-confidence and resilience, it should be applied with caution and consideration. Always strive for a balanced perspective, prioritizing the genuine growth and well-being of children above all else.