Growth Mindset for kids! Empower your child!

I'm just not good at that!
I wish I could play basketball like Tom. It's not fair!
Julie is so lucky that she understands maths so easily.
I'm frustrated. I give up!
It's hopeless, I'm never going to be able to learn that!

A "growth mindset" for children involves the belief that their abilities and intelligence can evolve and improve through dedication and practice. This perspective encourages them to understand that their brains are capable of growth and that learning new things is possible, rather than viewing intelligence as a fixed trait. It inspires them to embrace challenges and perceive mistakes as valuable learning opportunities.​

As parents, caregivers, health professionals, and educators, we can support our children in cultivating a growth mindset. 

Key aspects for encouraging a growth mindset for children:

Belief in progress:

• Children with a growth mindset believe they can get better at anything with effort and dedication, even if they struggle initially.

Positive approach to challenges:

• They see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, not as obstacles to avoid.

Resilience in setbacks:

• When faced with mistakes or setbacks, they understand that it's a part of the learning process and don't give up easily.

Focus on effort and process:

• Instead of just praising the outcome, a growth mindset encourages praising the effort and strategies used to achieve a goal.

Contrast with a "fixed mindset":

• Fixed mindset: This is the opposite, where children believe their abilities are fixed and cannot be significantly changed, leading them to avoid challenges and feel discouraged by setbacks.

How to foster a growth mindset in children:
Use positive language:

• Praise their effort and perseverance, saying things like "You worked really hard on that!" or "I can see how much you've improved."

Encourage challenges:

• Present new challenges and let them know that it's okay to make mistakes while learning.

Focus on learning strategies:

• Teach children specific strategies to overcome challenges and improve their skills.

Model a growth mindset:

•  Share your own experiences where you had to work hard to learn something new. ​

Introducing a new resource that will help you to work together with your child in developing a growth mindset. This resource helps to facilitate discussions about what a child can currently accomplish, contrasting it with their earlier achievements, thereby highlighting their progress. You can reflect on how these skills may have required time and perseverance. Additionally, the images in this printable can be used to explore what a child has yet to learn, what they can achieve with assistance, or what they aspire to do in the future.

This GROWTH MINDSET:  I CAN'T DO THAT YET printable includes:

• Ready Set Grow Girl, Boy and Children posters. ​Use these posters to talk about what stage is your child currently and practice saying growth mindset phrases. Discuss what children can do at different ages. (For example a preschool child can reflect on what they could do as a baby compared to what they can do now.  A high school age child can reflect on activities across the ages, the increase in complexity, the independence gained in some activities and what they have done previously when facing challenging skills or activities). 
• Blank discussion and worksheet pages: I can do that now! x 2 I can’t do that yet. I can learn how to do that! x2 I can do that with help! These pages can guide self reflection, goal setting and prioritization of learning. Use the images and place them on the relevant pages. Alternatively, write or draw answers. The worksheet pages prompt reflect with questions about learning. 
• 108 images provided include motor skills, self-care, chores at home, school tasks and play and more! These images are suitable for preschool age to middle school children. There are also images pertaining to female puberty.   Work through a few images at a time; celebrating the progress made from previous learning and guiding future goals. ​ 

Growth Mindset: I can't do that yet!

TPT Store ($US)

I also love using picture books to introduce and support a growth mindset for children.  Here are some for a range of ages:
* Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak
* Bubble Gum Brain by Julia Cook
* Growth Mindset Ninja by Mary Nhin 
* I Can't Do That Yet by Esther Pia Cordova
* The Girl Who Makes A Million Mistakes by Brenda Li
* I Try by Susie Brooks
* Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg 

Always affirm your child's feelings. Celebrate their strengths. Acknowledge challenges. Support their regulation as they learn how to manage their feelings, abilities and struggles. It can be difficult to change one's mindset especially when thinking about ourselves. From anxiety to perfectionism and every emotion in between; we can help children to find strategies to believe in themselves and their own potential to learn and grow. 

Read  my personal reflection about "practice makes progress" HERE. 

Do you have a child who struggles with a growth mindset?
​

​Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a contributing author of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
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