Promoting a growth mindset in kids is crucial for their long-term success and well-being. Here are some effective ways to encourage a growth mindset:
- Praise Effort, Not Innate Abilities: Instead of praising kids for being smart or talented, acknowledge and celebrate their effort, hard work, and dedication. This helps them understand that putting in effort leads to improvement and success.
- Encourage Curiosity: Foster a sense of curiosity in kids by encouraging questions and exploration. Support their desire to learn new things and discover the world around them.
- Emphasize Learning Goals: Help kids focus on the process of learning and growth rather than solely on achieving specific outcomes. Encourage them to set learning goals and celebrate progress along the way.
- Normalize Mistakes and Failure: Teach kids that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process and that failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. Help them see mistakes as stepping stones to improvement.
- Use Positive Self-Talk: Teach kids to use positive and constructive self-talk. Help them replace negative thoughts like “I can’t do this” with more empowering statements like “I can’t do this yet, but with practice, I’ll get better.”
- Avoid Labeling: Always refrain from labeling kids as “smart” or “not smart” based on their performance. Labels can limit their belief in their own abilities and hinder their willingness to take on challenges.
- Teach Brain Plasticity: Explain the concept of brain plasticity to kids, showing them that their brains can grow and change with effort and practice. This understanding can motivate them to embrace challenges.
- Provide Growth-Focused Feedback: When giving feedback, focus on specific aspects that kids can improve and provide guidance on how to do so. This fosters a growth-oriented mindset.
- Encourage Taking Risks: Encourage kids to take on new challenges, even if they might initially find them difficult. Provide a supportive environment where they feel safe to take risks and try new things.
- Showcase Role Models: Introduce kids to inspiring individuals who exemplify a growth mindset. Share stories of successful people who overcame obstacles through perseverance and hard work.
- Teach the Power of “Yet”: When kids say they can’t do something, add the word “yet” to the end of the sentence. For example, “I can’t do this Maths problem… yet.” This simple addition reinforces the idea of continuous growth.
- Model a Growth Mindset: Demonstrate a growth mindset in your own life. Share your own struggles, failures, and successes, and show how you approach challenges with a positive and growth-oriented attitude. DO NOT forget this step! Far too often I hear parents openly say that I was ‘rubbish’ at Maths or Public Speaking – this is a Fixed Mindset!
Remember that promoting a growth mindset is an ongoing process. Be patient and consistent in your efforts to instill this mindset in kids. By fostering a belief in their ability to learn and improve, you equip them with valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
I’d highly recommend Dr Carol Dweck’s bestseller: ‘Mindset: The New Psychology of Success‘ – see the book summary here: Animated Book Review on YouTube. Or check out Dr Dweck’s Stanford talk here: Carol Dweck – Growth Mindset Talk
Have you instilled a Growth Mindset in your kids? If yes, please share in the comments below on how you managed this feat.