If you’ve ever heard a child say, “I’m just not good at math” or “I’ll never be able to do this,” you’ve seen the fixed mindset in action. It’s the belief that abilities are set in stone—you either have them or you don’t. A growth mindset, on the other hand, flips that script.
It’s the understanding that skills can be developed through effort, practice, and persistence. And here’s the kicker: kids who learn to think this way often perform better academically, show greater resilience, and feel less anxious about making mistakes. The question for parents and teachers is, how do we actually teach this?
Praise the Effort, Not Just the Outcome
One of the simplest but most powerful shifts parents can make is in how they praise kids. Instead of focusing only on results—like a perfect grade—highlight the effort, strategies, or persistence they showed.
Saying “I’m proud of how hard you worked on that puzzle” teaches a child that effort matters. This isn’t about false flattery; it’s about showing them that learning is a process, not just a scoreboard.
Reframe Mistakes as Learning Opportunities
Kids often see mistakes as proof they’re “bad” at something. But research from Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, who pioneered the growth mindset concept, shows that mistakes can actually strengthen learning if approached correctly.
Parents and teachers can normalize failure by sharing their own mistakes and what they learned from them. A child who sees errors as part of the journey is more likely to keep trying instead of shutting down.
| Fixed Mindset Thought | Growth Mindset Reframe |
|---|---|
| “I’m terrible at this.” | “I haven’t figured it out yet.” |
| “I failed the test, I’m dumb.” | “I need to try a different strategy.” |
| “I can’t do it.” | “I can’t do it yet.” |
Model Curiosity and Lifelong Learning
Children learn as much from what we do as what we say. If parents show curiosity—reading for pleasure, learning a new skill, or admitting when they don’t know something—they’re modeling growth mindset in real time.
A parent who says, “Hmm, I don’t know how to fix this, but let’s figure it out together” is teaching problem-solving, resilience, and humility all in one go.
Encourage Challenge-Seeking
It’s tempting to shield kids from failure by steering them toward tasks they can already do. But growth mindset thrives when children push themselves outside their comfort zone. This could mean signing up for a new sport, trying a harder book, or tackling a tricky math problem without fear of looking silly. The more they stretch, the more confident they become in handling challenges.
Create a “Yet” Culture at Home or School
One of the most practical growth mindset hacks is adding the word “yet.” A child who says, “I can’t tie my shoes” can be guided to say, “I can’t tie my shoes yet.” That tiny shift opens up a world of possibility. Some classrooms even hang posters with the word “yet” to remind students that skills take time to develop.
Balance Support with Independence
There’s a fine line between encouragement and overhelping. If parents swoop in too quickly every time a child struggles, the child may start believing they can’t solve problems on their own. Instead, offer guidance and reassurance, but let them wrestle with challenges long enough to build real confidence.
FAQs:
At what age can children start learning about growth mindset?
Even preschoolers can grasp the idea that effort leads to improvement. It’s never too early to start.
Can praising effort backfire?
Yes, if it’s insincere or vague. Instead of “Good job,” be specific: “You kept trying different ways until the puzzle fit.”
How can schools support growth mindset?
By valuing progress over perfection, encouraging peer collaboration, and framing mistakes as opportunities for learning.
