Growth Mindset

At school and in life, growth mindset is one of the most important skills we can develop. Growth mindset means believing that our abilities can grow with effort, practice, and learning from mistakes. It’s not about being perfect or getting everything right the first time — it’s about trying, learning, and continuing to grow even when things feel challenging.

Practicing a growth mindset helps us stay motivated, build confidence, and see challenges as opportunities to learn. It encourages students to ask for help, reflect on mistakes, and keep going when tasks feel difficult. The more we practice growth mindset, the more resilient we become — and the stronger our problem-solving skills, self-belief, and love of learning grow.

For example, Growth Mindset as a student can look like:

• Trying again after making a mistake

• Using phrases like, "I can't do this yet." Instead of giving up

• Seeing challenges as chances to learn & improve

• Asking for help when something feels difficult

• Learning from feedback instead of feeling discouraged

• Sticking with a task even when it feels frustrating

• Trying new strategies when the first attempt doesn't work

• Celebrating effort, not just correct answers

• Understanding that learning takes time & practice

• Reflecting on mistakes & thinking about what to try next

• Encouraging themselves & others during challenging moments

Why Does Growth Mindset Matter? It helps students:

• Build confidence in their ability to learn & grow

• Develop resilience when facing challenges or setbacks

• Improve academic skills through effort & practice

• Feel less afraid of making mistakes

• Stay motivated even when learning feels hard

• Develop problem-solving & critical thinking skills

• Believe in themselves as capable learners

• Create a positive attitude toward school & learning

Why/How Mrs. Tammen teaches Growth Mindset:

• Classroom Lessons: Teaching students about how the brain grows with effort, practice, & learning. Lessons focus on effort, perseverance, learning from mistakes, & using positive self-talk.

• Practice & Reinforcement: Providing opportunities for students to practice growth mindset language, reflect on challenges, celebrate effort, & learn from mistakes through activities, discussions, & real-life examples.

• Tools & Resources: Using visuals, sentence stems, reflection sheets, goal-setting tools, & mindset posters to help students recognize & apply growth mindset strategies. 

• Collaboration with Families & Teachers: Sharing common language & strategies with teachers & families to support consistent messages about effort, perseverance, & learning from mistakes. 

• Personal Support: Working individually with students to reframe negative self-talk, set realistic goals, recognize progress, & build confidence when facing challenges.