Character Lab

About

Character Lab is a nonprofit whose mission is to advance scientific insights that help kids thrive. The organization works with researchers, educators, and students to better understand and cultivate the conditions leading to social, emotional, academic, and physical well-being for young people nationwide.

Recent Posts

How to Use Rituals in Stressful Situations

Rituals decrease people’s negative responses to their own slip-ups—suggesting that rituals help us move past our inevitable mistakes whenever we perform.

How to Help Children and Teens Navigate Adversity

When you fail, you should examine what you did (or didn’t do) that led to the failure. When you succeed, celebrate together and evaluate what led to the positive outcome.

A New Approach to Quieting Anxious Thoughts

Trying to ignore your worries makes them stronger. It’s more helpful to redirect your attention to the present.

The Less You Know: How Struggling Can Help You Learn

Learning cultures don’t just change students in the moment—they change them in the long run.

Ask Leading Questions When You Are Stuck

If the young people in your life seem stuck, help them pay attention to how they feel.

Joy Division: The Benefits of Breaking Up Fun

What's thrilling on Monday becomes boring by Friday. Even exciting events lose their sparkle after a while. But there is a way to make the good stuff “resparkle.”

How Teachers Should Walk the Talk

Classroom policies that reward improvement encourage students to take on more challenging coursework.

Opportunities Are More Than Luck

Those with a growth mindset about opportunity made active plans and persisted toward goals. Mindsets matter most when opportunities seem scarce.

The Importance of Critical Support for Students

Everyone likes encouragement, but don't confuse warmth with a growth mindset. The key to more effective feedback is allowing students to fix their work themselves.

Room to Improve: A Better Way to Seek Guidance

Feedback tends to focus on how well you did last time. Advice shifts attention to how you can do better next time.