Hi families,
This week we look at the value of having a growth mindset and how beneficial this can be for our learning as opposed to having a fixed mindset.
Here are some simple strategies you can use to help your child foster a positive mindset.
Happy reading,
Ms Jodie
Growth Mindset Vs Fixed Mindset
If your child has a growth mindset, they believe that intelligence can be developed. They understand that effort leads to success, and they are not afraid to take on challenging tasks. This type of thinking leads to increased motivation and higher levels of achievement.
On the other hand, if your child has a fixed mindset, they believe that intelligence is set in stone. They are more likely to give up when faced with a challenge, and they are less likely to take risks.So, what can you do to help your child in nurturing a growth mindset? Read on for our complete guide.
5 Strategies to Help Your Child Move Towards a Growth Mindset
Now that you understand a growth mindset and its benefits, it is essential to learn how to help your child develop one. Though some children may be more inclined towards a growth mindset naturally, every child can benefit from learning growth mindset strategies. Therefore, let’s see various strategies to encourage a growth mindset in your child’.
1. Praise the Effort, Not Innate Ability
When your child succeeds at something, resist the urge to say things like “You’re so smart!” or “You’re a natural at this!” Instead, focus on praising the hard work and effort that your child put in. For example, you could say, “You must have worked really hard at this!” or “I can tell you put a lot of thought into this!” This type of praise will help your child understand that success comes from effort, not an innate ability.
2. Help Your Child See Failure as an Opportunity to Learn
If your child experiences failure, it is important to help them see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Avoid reacting negatively, and instead, encourage your child to view failure as a step towards success. This can be a challenging mindset shift for both you and your child, but it is crucial for growth mindset development.
3. Encourage a Love of Learning, Not Just Good grades
One of the best ways to encourage a growth mindset is to foster a love of learning in your child. Help them see that learning is an ongoing process, not just something they do to get good grades. Encourage curiosity and exploration. When your child is interested in a topic, help them explore it further. This will help them develop a growth mindset and a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
4. Help Your Child Find Their Passion
Another way to encourage a growth mindset is to help your child find their passion. When children are passionate about something, they are more likely to stick with it even when things get tough. This tenacity is a key component of a growth mindset. If your child doesn’t yet have a passion, try exposing them to a variety of activities and see what sparks their interest.
5. Start with Yourself
If you want to help your child develop a growth mindset, it is essential to start with yourself. Model growth mindset behaviors and attitudes yourself. When you make mistakes, admit them and talk about what you learned from the experience. When you face challenges, persevere and don’t give up. Be patient with yourself and your child as you both work on developing growth mindsets.
