RON MOUNTAIN — “Suzy, what a marvelous cart-wheel! You’re a natural gymnast.” “All As and Bs. I’m not surprised because you’re so smart.” Don’t these sound like supportive, nurturing comments from a wonderful grandparent?

Maybe but maybe not, according to Stanford University Psychology Professor Carol Dweck. Instead of building a foundation of self-esteem that can boost children to even great accomplishments, decades of research found that comments like these may be setting them up for failure when academic and other challenges become tougher.

Dweck’s book, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” explains in detail. Here’s the short version.

Telling Suzy she is a natural gymnast implies that to be marvelous, she need not work hard or practice. If she has to do either, she lacks talent. If this were true, then Michael Jordan would have never made it in college sports or grown as a player to become a NBA superstar. Jordan was cut from his high school team. Instead of quitting basketball, he worked harder to improve his game.

The same is true in academics. When students perceive intelligence as a fixed asset (think IQ score), they are more likely to steer away from harder subjects like higher-level science and math. “If I were smart enough, I’d get this right away.”

Children, who have what Dweck calls growth mindsets, believe if they keep trying, eventually they will be successful. While this is not true in every case, persistence can beat out natural talent.

How can grandparents encourage growth mindsets when children are successful? Let’s tweak the statements that began this article.

“Suzy, what a marvelous cartwheel. I can tell you practice. There’s no telling what you’ll be doing with more training.”

“All As and Bs. I’m not surprised because I know you work hard in class and read books at home to learn new things.”

Praising qualities that children can control, like effort or not backing down after failure, will help them when things don’t come easily. They’re less likely to be over-whelmed by a setback. And everyone who sets challenging goals will encounter obstacles and setbacks.

Can adults address a child’s failure in a positive way? Absolutely. When Thomas Edison experiences more than 900 “failures” in his pursuit of a long-lasting light bulb he quipped, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” His electric pen never found wide-spread use but the technology behind it lead to the invention of the mimeograph machine, an office staple until copiers became standard.

Think you’ve got it? Take a short quiz.

Your grandson didn’t make the high school basketball team. Which would help develop a growth mindset and succeed later?

A. What an unlucky break.

B. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school team. Let’s read together about what he did after that. Maybe that will help you next time.

C. The coach is a jerk!

D. You just aren’t tall enough. Maybe you should try soccer.

Mindy had her heart set on a ribbon, but fell off her horse at junior rodeo. Which of these would be most helpful?

A. What could you try or do differently when you practice riding next?

B. Some kids are born to ride and others aren’t

C. When I was your age, I never fell off.

D. Your mom was a terrible rider too. I guess you take after her side of the family.

Your granddaughter complains that biology is hard. You tell her…

A. Girls don’t do well in science and math. Focus on being pretty.

B. Stop complaining. You have to have it to get into a good college.

C. I don’t understand. You’re smart.

D. That’s a good sign. If it was easy, you wouldn’t be learning as much.

If you chose b-a-d, you’re g-o-o-d at encouraging others to be the best they can be.

How you talk to students (and even other adults) can have a pro-found impact on how much they achieve and how easily they give up. Reassure them that becoming smarter is preferable to being smart.

If they seem likely to give up, point out examples like Jordan and Edison. Ask your student to share contemporary examples with you of people who accepted challenges.

Not only will you be setting them up for success later, you’ll enjoy meaningful conversation. Not sure how to start? Don’t wait for a stroke of genius; just give it your best shot and continue until encouraging a growth mindset is second nature.

In the words of Edison, “Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.”

——

NURSING HOMES

Freeman

Kingsford

Sunday: Scenes and sounds, noon; Uno, 1 p.m.; dunking donuts, 2 p.m.; church, 2:15 p.m.

Monday: Pretty nails, 10 a.m.; library cart, 11 a.m.; scenes and sounds, 11:45 a.m.; brouhaha,1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; ice cream social, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Crafts and gardening, 10 a.m.; scenes and sounds, 11:45 a.m.; reminisce; 1:15 p.m.; Kentucky derby, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; rosary, 11 a.m.; scenes and sounds, 11:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Reading buddy, 10 a.m.; bible study, 11 a.m.; scenes and sounds, 11:45 a.m.; back yard games, 1 p.m.; pokereno, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee social, 10:30 a.m.; what’s cooking, 11 a.m.; scenes and sounds, 11:45 a.m.; cards, 1 p.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Meet and greet, 10:30 a.m.; blitz box, 11 a.m.; scenes and sounds, 11:45 a.m.; Daily News, 1 p.m.

Iron County Medical Facility

Crystal Falls

Sunday: One to one church visitors, 8:30 to 11 a.m.; room visits, 9 to 11 a.m.; reminisce, 10 a.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; resident council, 10:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; black out bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Book club, 10 a.m.; Mass, 10 a.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social and travel club, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; heads up, 2 p.m.; nite bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; Christ United, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m; room visits, 1 p.m.; Grandparent’s Day party, 2 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Price is Right and volleyball, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; intergenerational social hour, 2 p.m.

ManorCare

Kingsford

Wet Your Whistle, 9:30 a.m. (daily).

Movie, 10:45 a.m. (daily) and again at 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Gathering place, 11:40 a.m. (daily), and at 4:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday).

Protestant Church service, Sunday, 3 p.m.

Exercises, 10 a.m. (daily).

Sunday: Just jokes, 10:15 a.m.; morsels and more, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Labor Day social, 9:30 a.m.; gathering group, 11:40 a.m.; big buck bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: You be the judge, 10:15 a.m.; Wheel of Fortune, 2 p.m.; movie and a manicure, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Table talk, 10:15 a.m.; bocce, 2 p.m.; flip five, 5:45 p.m.

Thursday: Crosswords, 10:15 a.m.; good neighbor bingo, 2 p.m.; Pictionary, 5:45 p.m.

Friday: Popcorn day; ABC game, 10:15 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Current events, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

Exercise, Monday through Friday at 11 a.m.

Juice pass, daily at 10 a.m.

Shopping days: Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m.

Sunday: Bible study, 1:30 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Monday: Labor Day

Tuesday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; Golden Throats, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Left, center, right, 2 p.m.; rosary 3 p.m.

Friday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Florence Health Services

Florence, Wis.

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Monday: Shuffle board lunch cookout, 10 a.m.; bingo with Bette, 2 p.m.; room visits, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Balloon badminton, 10 a.m.; rooster display with Valri, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; music by Tom Palmer, 2 p.m.; room visits, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason Church service, 10 a.m.;pretty nails manicures, 2 p.m.

Friday: Catholic Communion service, 10 a.m.; music sing-a-longs with Valri, 2 p.m.; social hour, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; horse races, 2 p.m.; movie night, 6:30 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Note: All centers ask for 24 hour advanced reservations for lunch. If you have meals delivered and will not be home, notify the center.

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Meal every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at noon.

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Lunch at noon.

Bingo on Tuesdays.

Free meal drawing on Thursdays.

Breen Center

906-774-5110

Meals: Monday through Friday.

Cards and games available 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m.

Hostess on duty Monday through Friday.

Treats and coffee, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Center retail store is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; volunteers and donations are welcome.

Birthdays acknowledge every day.

Evening meals are held first and third Thursday of the month. Salad bar opens at 4 p.m. with dinner served at 5 p.m. Donations are $4 for those 60 and older and $5 for 60 and younger.

Blood pressure and blood sugar testing, every fourth Wednesday.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook, Tracy West

906-875-6709

Meals will be served on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 5 p.m. (a salad bar will be open at 4:30 p.m.). The dinner donation is $5 for those age 60 and over and $6 for those under age 60. There is a take-out container charge of $1. All persons are invited. Cribbage will be played on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and be concluded in time for the dinner. Center is closed Thursday through Sunday. A site council meeting is held on the third Wednesday at 3 p.m. Blood pressure taken by request anytime the center is open.

Crystal Lake Center

906-774-5888

The center is closed on the weekends.

Monday: Woodcarvers, 10 a.m.; Majong in dining hall, noon; Les Artistes Art Club, noon; Bridge Club, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday: Pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: Billiards, 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday: Spinning Spools Quilters Guild, noon; Crafters, scrap bookers, etc. also welcome; Knitting and crocheting class, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Camera Club, 6 p.m.

Friday: Smear, 12:30 p.m.

Last Saturday of the month: Music Jam starting at 1 p.m.

Evening meals have a salad bar beginning at 4 p.m. with the meal beginning at 4:30 p.m. A donation of $4 is accepted for seniors (60 plus), but not required. Those 59 and younger are required to pay $5.  

Transportation is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call the center to book your ride.

Felch Center

Director: Norma Dixon

906-246-3559

Meals served Monday through Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.

Bingo on the first and third Wednesday of each month after lunch.

Congregate jigsaw puzzle done daily.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County

715-528-4890

Director: Lori Friberg

Three senior dining locations are listed below:

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

Meal at noon on Wednesdays only. Cribbage and cards are available.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

715-528-4261

Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Jigsaw puzzles, cards, cribbage, and board games are available. The coffee is always on.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

715-589-4491

Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Jigsaw puzzles, cribbage, cards, and board games are available. The coffee is always on.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Meal is Monday through Friday at noon. Suggested donation is $3 for those 60 and older and $7 for those under 60.

Morning coffee is available each day

Fifteen games of “Fun Bingo” are played each Tuesday and Friday along with 50/50.

Tuesday: Bingo, 12:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Cards played in the afternoon. Call ahead to see if a game will be going on.

Friday: Bingo, 12:45 p.m.

Monday through Friday: Walking in the gym from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A treadmill is also available.

Monday: Senior center will be closed.

Sept. 15: TEFAP quarterly food distribution.

Sept. 18: Craft day.

Sept. 19: Foot clinic.

Sept. 27: Birthday dinner.

Iron River Center

Directors: Katherine Bortolameolli and Brian Kassa

906-265-6134

Meals served Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; $4 (over 60) and $5 (under 60).

Evening meal is on Thursdays with a salad bar at 4 p.m. and dinner at 5 p.m.

Bingo is on Sundays at 2 p.m. (doors open at noon) and Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m.

Cards are played on Thursdays, 1:15 p.m.

Monday: Center will be closed

Sept. 5: Iron River Site Council will be holding their monthly meeting at 4 p.m.

Sept. 9: Dance night with music by Jack and Friends, 6 to 9 p.m. $6 cover charge at the center.

Sept. 15: Iron Mountain trip, $12 per person.

Sept. 23: Pancake Day, 8 to 11:30 a.m.; adults $5, children under 12, $2.50.

Transportation is available Monday through Thursday with the bus running 8:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m., $4 (over 60), $5 (under 60), $6 (wheelchair).

Bingo every Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Doors open at noon.

Salad bar with Thursday meal, 4 p.m. and dinner at 4:30 p.m.

Niagara Northwoods Senior Cafe and Center

Meal site manager: Corrie Maule 

715-251-1603

Center director: Jill Anderson 

715-251-4154

Noon meals served Monday through Thursday.

Transportation to the meal site from the Niagara area is offered.

Wii games, cards, puzzles, and board games available to play for your enjoyment.

Senior groups who would like to use our meal site as their meeting place may join the center for lunch and stay to have their meeting or social time.

Wednesday: Salad bar.

Thursday: Bingo.

Sept. 12: LRC tournament.

Sept. 20: Salad bar.

Sept. 20: ’50s and ’60s reunion.

Norway Center

Director: Susie Slining

906-563-8716

Monday through Thursday: Meals served at noon with salad bar. Soup is also available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. (Meal donation is $5.)

Milk, juice, bread, fruit, tea, and coffee served daily.

Two special theme noon meals each month with bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

Two evening meals (5 p.m.) on the first Monday and third Wednesday of the month with bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

Cards are played daily after the noon meal.

Craft and exercise classes: Mondays and Thursdays.

Ceramic and art classes: Wednesdays

Puzzles always worked on.

Monday: Labor Day, center will be closed

Tuesday: Labor Day special dinner: porcupine meatballs, mashed potatoes with gravy, broccoli, fruit, juice, soup, salad bar, and dessert. Bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

Wednesday: Blood pressure clinic, 11 a.m. to noon.

Sept. 9: Center pasty sale, $5. All orders must be picked up by noon.

Sept. 11: Noon meal: baked cod, seasoned rice, butternut squash, fruit, juice, salad bar, and dessert.

Sept. 11: 5 p.m. meal: famous company chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetables, soup, salad bar, and dessert. Bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

Sept. 20: Blood pressure clinic 11 a.m. to noon.

Sept. 20: Noon meal: tuna casserole, peas, carrots, fruit, juice, salad bar, and dessert.

Sept. 20: 5 p.m. meal: barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetables, soup, salad bar, and dessert. Bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

Sept. 21: Birthday Club: cheese raviolis with marinara sauce, green beans, bread sticks, soup, salad bar, fruit, juice, and birthday cake.

Sep. 26: Autumn dinner: meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, soup, salad bar, fruit, juice, and dessert. Bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

Senior coloring class meets daily.

Center membership cards are available for $5 at the front desk.

Sagola Center

Director: Alyssa Runsat

906-542-3273

Meals: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11:45 a.m.

Cards: Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday.

Commodities every other month and quarterly commodities are every three months.

Puzzle table for all to enjoy.

Volunteers are always welcome.