Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset

Growth Mindset - People believe a person can grow/develop their intelligence with persistence and effort.

Fixed Mindset - People believe that each person is given a set amount of intelligence, skills, or talents.  

Research has shown that our brain can actually, change, adapt, and rewire itself throughout our entire life.  

With this being said it is important to encourage our kids/students to have a growth mindset.  By doing this you will have to step back and let them figure things out on their  own.  But you will need to be their when they fail (because it will happen and it’s an important part of the process) so you can encourage them to try again. If you have a growth mindset you have persistence and effort.  Parents will set by and watch and encourage them to continue when they fail and learn from their mistakes.  

Don’t limit your child's/student’s success by encouraging a fixed mindset.  Just because they fail at something doesn’t mean they need to quit and they are not good at it.  They need to learn from their mistakes and continue to try until they conquer their goal/task. Do not fix their problem or tell them how to go about fixing their problem, but be there to encourage them.  Not only will encouraging your child to have a growth mindset help them now, but it will help them to continue to be successful throughout their lives.  

For more information on Mindsets- Mindsets in the Classroom-By: Mary Cay Ricci