5 Best Practices for Parents to Foster a Growth Mindset in Children
As parents, we love to see our children grow, learn, and thrive – emotionally, socially as well as academically. A growth mindset can be a key factor in helping children develop resilience, confidence, and a love for learning. In contrast to a fixed mindset, with which children believe their abilities are static and unchangeable, a growth mindset encourages the belief that abilities can be developed through effort, learning, and perseverance. Children with a growth mindset are not afraid to make mistakes, face challenges, and they respond well to feedback as they recognize those as valuable learning opportunities!
Here are 5 best practices you can incorporate into your parenting to encourage the development of a growth mindset:
1. Praise Effort, Not Just Results
It is a natural reaction to praise children when they achieve success, like getting an A on a test or winning a game. However, focusing solely on results and achievements can unintentionally reinforce a fixed mindset, as children may start to believe that success is dependent on inherent talent and results. If their efforts don’t lead to a desired outcome and hence go unrecognized, they might feel that improvement is unattainable, leading to the belief that hard work and practice are pointless.
Instead, emphasize the process. Praise their effort, persistence, and the strategies they used, regardless of the outcome. For example, you might say, “I’m so proud of how hard you worked on this project,” or “Wow, I liked the way you approached that tricky math problem!”
“Believe you can and you are halfway there.” Theodore Roosevelt
2. Encourage Challenges and Embrace Mistakes
Children who have a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities to grow, while children with a fixed mindset may avoid challenges for a fear of failure. As parents, you can help by encouraging your child to step outside their comfort zone and try new things.
When they encounter setbacks, remind them that mistakes are an important part of learning. Normalize mistakes by sharing your own experiences and explaining how you learned from them. You can also share stories of famous individuals who experienced setbacks and failures before achieving success, helping your child understand that even the most accomplished people have faced challenges – such as Simone Biles and her Olympic Games journey. Teach children that every mistake is an opportunity to learn something new!
“Don’t worry about failure, worry about the chances you miss if you don’t even try.” Sherman Finesilver
3. Provide Constructive Feedback
Instead of offering vague praise or criticism, focus on specific aspects of their effort, strategy, or approach. For example, instead of saying, “Good job!” you could say, “I noticed how you kept trying different ways to solve that problem, even when it was tricky. That persistence really paid off.” This kind of feedback helps children understand that their efforts and choices lead to progress, reinforcing the idea that growth is possible through hard work and learning from mistakes.
Additionally, constructive feedback should be framed positively, highlighting areas for improvement in a supportive way. Rather than focusing on what your child did wrong, offer guidance on how they can improve. For example, instead of saying, “You didn’t get it right,” try saying, “This part was challenging, but what if we try a different approach next time?” or instead of “You were selfish during our play today,” try saying “I really liked playing with you today! But sometimes, it’s hard to share. Maybe next time, we can try taking turns a little more.”
This encourages a mindset of continuous improvement and reinforces the idea that mistakes are opportunities for learning, not reasons to give up.
“We all need people who will give us feedback. That is how we improve.” Bill Gates
4. Use the Power of “Yet”
One of the simplest but most powerful ways to instill a growth mindset is to teach your child the importance of the word “yet.” When children say things like, “I can’t do this,” or “I’m not good at math,” encourage them to add the magical word “yet” at the end of the sentence.
By saying “I can’t do this yet,” or “I’m not good at math yet,” you’re helping your child shift their thinking from fixed to growth. It reminds them that their abilities are not set in stone and that, with effort and time, they can improve.
TIP: There are many storybooks embracing the power of yet, such as The Power of Yet or The Magical Yet.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Nelson Mandela
5. Be a Role Model Yourself
Children are keen observers and often mimic the attitudes and behaviors of their parents. If you model a growth mindset, your child is more likely to adopt the same approach.
For example, if you’re trying something new, like learning a new skill or tackling a tough task, talk about the learning process in front of your child. Say things like, “I’m not great at this yet, but with practice, I’ll get better.” Your attitude toward learning and persistence will influence how your child approaches their own challenges.
“Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.” Samuel Johnson
Fostering a growth mindset in your child can empower them to face challenges with confidence, learn from their mistakes, and persist in the face of difficulties. By praising effort, encouraging challenges, modeling a growth mindset, and providing helpful feedback, you can create an environment where your child develops resilience and a lifelong love for learning.
If you’re interested in more personalized advice or support on fostering a growth mindset in your child, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help support your child along the way!
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