People who have a growth mind set believe that their abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. To them, nothing is set in stone – with the right attitude, they can do achieve anything they want to. A growth mindset is one of the key foundations in helping your child build resilience.
The term was coined by Carol Dweck, an American psychologist. There are many excellent YouTube videos of her discussing the power of yet in helping students succeed in and out of the classroom.
So how can you help your children develop a growth rather than fixed mindset?
Encourage curiosity
You need to encourage your kids to become curious. If they already are, then foster that curiosity and encourage them to ask even more questions. Question the why and how of everything around you. Then get ready to learn new things and grow.
Look at failure as a learning opportunity
Nobody can be successful 100% of the time. How you look at setbacks and choose to respond contributes to developing a growth mindset. Help your kids to look at failures as opportunities to learn new ways of doing things.
Help your kids become comfortable with feedback
Receiving feedback can be an uncomfortable experience. Many of us find it hard to hear what other people have to say about us, whether it’s positive or negative. However, taking feedback onboard is one of the best ways to improve and grow. Both positive and negative feedback are equally valuable. Positive feedback provides motivation to keep up the good work. While negative feedback gives you the chance to reflect on the past and look for ways to improve.
Believe in yourself
It might sound like a cliché but there’s a good reason that this is one of the foundations of a growth mindset. If you don’t back yourself why would others believe in you? The power of the mind is an extraordinary thing. So teach your kids to believe in themselves and what they can achieve.
Use the power of “yet”
If you didn’t watch the Carl Dweck video on Developing a Growth Mindset, take some time to watch it now. Yet gives kids a pathway into the future, if they haven’t achieved what they wanted to this time around. E.g, I haven’t achieved an Ex for English yet but I have a Merit Plus
Finally, remember
Nobel Peace Prize winner, Desmond Tutu once wisely said that:
“There is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.”
What he meant is that sometimes everything in life can seem daunting and overwhelming. However, even the impossible can be accomplished gradually by taking on just a little at a time.
Make sure you share this nugget of wisdom with your kids!
Our Kidz Course, Building Resilience, will start in Term 1 2022. This course is for 7 – 11-year-olds and will be held at our rooms in Morningside. More information coming soon.
Morningside - Main Clinic Address:*
642 New North Road, Morningside, Auckland, 1022
*All educational psychology and art therapy appointments are held at out main Morningside Clinicgside Clinic
Mount Wellington - therapy appointments with Narelle Nichelsen on Wednesdays and Thursdays only
18 Allright Place, Mount Wellington, Auckland, 1060
Ellerslie - appointments with Zee Ally only
411 Great South Road, Ellerslie Auckland, 1051
New Lynn - therapy appointments with Shelley de Graaf only
1 McCrae Way, New Lynn, Auckland, 0600
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