Growth Mindset Activities To Help Develop Positive Thinking

Nurturing Growth Mindsets with Compassion

Having a growth mindset means believing that our abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. This contrasts with a fixed mindset that assumes talents are set abilities that cannot change. Research shows that cultivating growth mindsets can powerfully shape motivation, resilience and wellbeing.

As parents and teachers, how can we kindly nurture growth mindsets in children? Rather than focusing on metrics and optimization, here are some ideas centered on compassion and wisdom:

Praise Effort, Not Just Achievement

Notice when children try new things or persist through challenges. Cheer them on and celebrate their effort, rather than just rewarding success. This shows them that progress and learning matter.

Allow Mistakes

When children make mistakes, view it as an opportunity for learning rather than a failure. Ask curious questions about what they tried and why it didn’t go as planned. Experiment together to try new approaches.

Emphasize the Journey

Remind children that meaningful growth comes slowly, through steady practice over time. Compare their current and past work to highlight how they have developed, not how they measure up to others.

Inspire Discovery

Spark children’s interest to learn for the joy of it. Allow free exploratory play. Answer their wondering questions about the world. Show genuine curiosity about their interests rather than imposing expectations.

Model Growth Yourself

Children learn best by example. Openly share your own learning process with difficulties, setbacks and triumphs. Express growth mindsets in your own journey of lifelong learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a growth mindset?

A growth mindset is the belief that our skills and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning and persistence. It stands in contrast to a fixed mindset that assumes talents are static abilities.

Why are growth mindsets important?

Research shows that cultivating growth mindsets fuels motivation, resilience and achievement. Students with growth mindsets outperform those with fixed perspectives.

How can we nurture growth mindsets?

Praise effort over outcomes, allow mistakes, emphasize progress over time, inspire discovery-based learning, and model growth mindsets in your own learning journey.

What happens with fixed mindsets?

Fixed mindsets can hamper motivation and make people feel stuck. Mistakes and failures are seen as evidence that someone lacks natural ability.

How do growth mindsets benefit wellbeing?

Growth mindsets cultivate resilience to keep trying when faced with obstacles. A focus on progress fosters motivation, interest and hope to continually develop our potential.