Based on research by Carol Dweck, PhD
Helping kids to switch from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset can be tricky. Here are some tips that may help.
1. Have Daily Learning Discussions
a. Ask, “What did you learn today?” or “What did you try hard at today?”
b. Praise for effort, persistence, perseverance, planning creative strategies, improvement and setting goals.
2. Do You Know Brains Can Grow?
a. Explain to children that our brains can grow stronger and our intelligence can improve throughout life
3. Encourage Risk, Failure, and Learning from Mistakes.
a. Failure teaches resiliency.
b. Try not to fix everything. Let our youth experience sadness and disappointment.
4.Talk to youth about famous people’s failures.
a. Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper for lacking imagination and having no original ideas!
b. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.
5.Encourage and Model Positive Self-Talk.
a. Say statements like, “Mistakes help me learn better.”
b. Say, “I can always improve, so I’ll keep trying.”
Recommended Reading to Promote Resilience:
For Parents:
The Blessings of a Skinned Knee by Mendy Mogel
Raising Resilient Children: Fostering Strength, Hope, and Optimism in Your Child by Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
For Children:
Thank you Mr. Falker by Patricia Palocco
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires.
Written By:
Courtney Evenchik, MA NCSP
Director of School Psychology Services
