What are the Habits of Mind?

Habits of Mind are dispositions that are skillfully and mindfully employed by characteristically intelligent, successful people when they are confronted with problems, the solution to which are not immediately apparent.

The Habits of Mind as identified by Costa and Kallick are:

• Persisting
• Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision
• Managing Impulsivity
• Gathering Data Through all Senses
• Listening with Understanding and Empathy
• Creating, Imaging and Innovation
• Thinking Flexibly
• Responding with Wonderment and Awe
• Thinking about Thinking (Metacognition)
• Taking Responsible Risks
• Striving for Accuracy
• Finding Humor
• Questioning and Posing Problems
• Thinking Interdependently
• Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
• Remaining Open to Continuous Learning

Download "Describing 16 Habits of Mind" for a fuller description of the Habits of Mind.