Having a Growth Mindset

"Being clever isn't something you ARE but something yoiu can LEARN to be"


Having a growth mindset means being resilient and having a positive attitude towards failure. People who have a growth mindset are good at "bouncing back"!

Start by watching this introduction to growth mindsets

What did we learn?


  • If we practice a skill we get better at it


  • Nobody is "born smart", they just learn more through repeatedly using their brain


  • People who believe they can get better at something are more likely to succeed

Look at how many neurons a baby has compared to a 6 year old! They grew these extra connections by trying and repeatedly failing to talk and walk!

Watch and learn about how the brain grows

Plastic brains: what do scientists say?

Scientists have learned that brains are plastic. This means they can change shape, this is true at any age but especially when you are young.

The brain is a web of connected neurons, when it is repeatedly used for a new task, new connections are made or old ones are strengthened.

Trying hard at particularly difficult tasks makes the neurons grow at an even faster rate. We now know that the brain grows fastest when we fail, this is why we need to keep trying!