Intent
Why we teach this
- Every child can name what their brain is doing and choose what to do next.
- Effort is taught as skill, not virtue: deliberate, focused, adjustable.
- Mistakes are evidence of stretch — celebrated, not hidden.
Implementation
How it lands in classrooms
- Carol Dweck’s growth-mindset framing: the brain is a muscle we train.
- The Meta Meter (Snooze · Stretch · Flex · Workout) gives children a shared language for their own thinking effort.
- EEF Metacognition & Self-Regulation guidance is the evidence spine.
- Teachers think aloud, model strategies, and prompt for self-explanation.
Programmes & resources
What we teach with and where families can read more
For families
Meta Meter family poster
Brain-as-muscle metaphor explained.
EEF Metacognition guidance · school summary
Evidence base in plain English.
Mistake-celebration cards
Pupil prompts for sharing errors.