Growth Mindset
Social Emotional Learning Team
What is a growth mindset?
A growth mindset teaches kids that their brains are capable of growing and developing; that they can put in the right effort and use the right strategies to become better at things and that challenges and mistakes are opportunities to grow.
Kids with a growth mindset feel empowered and try harder. They are more confident, resilient, and are not afraid to fail.
Developing a growth mindset is a life skill and allows children to develop healthy habits with their education and relationships.
Neuroplasticity
What is the difference between a Fixed Mindset and a Growth Mindset?
Fixed Mindset:
- I like my work to be easy.
- I don’t like to try a challenge.
- I want people to praise me for how clever I am.
- I believe I cannot change how clever I am.
- I don’t like to try new things because I won’t be very good at it.
- I give up easily.
Growth Mindset:
- I never give up.
- I like my work to be difficult – it means I am learning.
- I love challenges.
- I want people to praise me for the effort I put into my work.
- I believe I can get more intelligent by working hard.
- I feel clever when I’m learning something new.
- I learn from my mistakes.
How to foster a growth mindset
Tell your child, over and over and over again, that "Brains can get stronger"
Pay attention to effort over results
Be specific with praise
Catch your child being persistent
Encourage a healthy attitude to failure and challenge
Use the word ‘yet’, and use it often
Show your child that they don’t always have to be successful to be okay
Encourage your child to keep the big picture in mind
Give permission to fail
Parent Guides
Mindsets for Parents: Strategies to Encourage Growth Mindsets in Kids
The Yes Brain: How to Cultivate Courage, Curiosity, and Resilience in Your Child by D. Siegel
Grit for Kids by L. Daniels
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Educational Videos (Elementary)
Literature for students
Elementary
Middle School
High School
Yvette Castanon, ASW
Email: ycastanon@tvusd.us
Location: James L Day Middle School, Camino Campos Verde, Temecula, CA, USA
Phone: 951-401-3190