Growth Mindset

Information from The Growth Mindset Coach (2016) - Annie Brock and Heather Hundley

The Two Types Of Mindsets

For many years people thought that there were 'fixed' aspects of our personality, intelligence and physical strength and stamina that could not be changed. That these were unable to be changed. This was until a university professor, Carol Dweck, published her findings after many years of research. She put forth a powerful theory that many of our qualities (creativity, athleticism, intelligence, etc) were not set in stone. Rather, they could be changed and shaped with a little time and effort. She explained there were two mindsets, growth and fixed.

A Fixed Mindset is when we tell ourselves that things can not change. That the way we act and things we do, and how we do them, can not be changed. They we all reach a limit.

A Growth Mindset is when we are of the belief that our skills and knowledge can be developed with effort, learning and dedication

What this provided was further understanding of how the brain can be shaped and changed, and information to reframe how we approach learning and challenges.

Growth Mindset

Developing a growth mindset takes time. It takes patience and it takes practice. It requires many strategies and support. Working on short, SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Timely) goals over a long period of time should ensure success. The book, The Growth Mindset Coach, is a resource used by educators, that outlines specific mantras and goals that can be focused on over the course of a year.

These include;

  1. Everyone Can Learn

  2. My Brain Is Like A Muscle That Grows

  3. I Am A Valued Member Of This Learning Community

  4. We Love A Challenge!

  5. A Goal Without A Plan Is Just A Wish

While this is a great resource for educators, there are many resources you can access to assist in developing a growth mindset with your children at home. A great website to start your growth mindset journey is https://www.verywellfamily.com/tips-for-teaching-your-child-to-have-a-growth-mindset-4014842

Children with a growth mindset are open to trying new things. Here are some helpful hints to get you started (https://sydneychildrenspractice.com.au/2020/08/helping-your-child-develop-a-growth-mindset/);

  1. Praise the effort, not the outcome - talk about the strategies your child is using to overcome challenges, the time they invested and focus on the learning and the progress.

  2. Avoid labels that encourage a fixed mindset - e.g. "I have never been good at maths"

  3. Add the magic word - There is magic and power in the word 'yet'. e.g. "I can't tie my shoe laces yet"

  4. Mistakes are a part of learning - it is ok to make a mistake, and if frustration begins, take a break and try again

  5. Talk with your child about how far they have come - When things become tricky remind your child there was a time when they could not even take one step and now they walk and run

Learning can be an emotional experience. Sometimes when things become a little tricky our brain automatically goes to a flight, fight, freeze response when it is trying to process new things. We are wired this way. This is an important thing to understand. In other areas of this hub you will find resources to help your child understand this and strategies to use to keep our brains working as best they can.

The power of language plays a HUGE part in developing a growth mindset, but adult support and intervention is also needed. There is power in the word yet, but what happens after yet? Not yet? I still can't do it yet? This infographic provides some guidance about the use of words and phrases to develop a growth mindset. https://mindfulbydesign.com/change-mindset-change-words/

Along with the language we use, there are activities we can partake in to develop a growth mindset. These include;

  1. Writing positive affirmations that encourage positive self talk - think of all the things you can do

  2. Set realistic and achievable goals - have a plan (what do we need to achieve the goal? How will I accomplish the goal? What a re the barriers? How will I overcome these? What will I tell myself if it becomes difficult? How will I know I was successful?)

  3. Use learning stems that encourage open ended activities - e.g. I wonder.... I'm thinking.... I just learned....

  4. Look at people in history who have overcome challenges to achieve great success

  5. Start a gratitude journal - stay positive!

There are also many videos available on line to help children understand what a growth mindset is and how to achieve it. Here are some examples;

Developing a Growth Mindset

The Power of Yet