Explore these activities to foster a growth mindset in kids. Helping them to embrace challenges by identifying a growth mindset vs a fixed mindset. As well as the power of yet! These positive thinking activities are perfect for kids at home and in the classroom.
With a growth mindset, kids don’t necessarily think that there’s no such thing as talent or that everyone is the same, but they believe everyone can develop their abilities through hard work, strategies, and lots of help and mentoring from others.
– Carol S. Dweck
If you haven’t yet read Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, I highly recommend you do so. In this epic book, Carol Dweck discusses the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. Outlining that success in every area of our life – be it career, health, or parenting is influenced by fostering a growth mindset. Believing in our abilities and working towards achieving our goals.
As parents and educators, we must introduce and nurture a growth mindset in our children.
What is the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset?
A fixed mindset is believing that our personal qualities and abilities, such as intelligence and talent, are static and unchangeable.
Individuals with a fixed mindset believe that their basic traits are set in stone, and this often leads them to avoid challenges. Giving up easily with the notion that it is pointless to even try because they don’t have what it takes, which often leads to failure.
This belief also keeps them stuck in their comfort zone. Similarly, when our kids feel like they’re not good enough or can’t do something. They are cultivating a limited belief that can sadly affect them for the rest of their lives.
On the other hand, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and perseverance.
People with a growth mindset are more likely to embrace challenges, learn from criticism, and persist in the face of setbacks.
Kids who foster a growth mindset and the power of yet will not give up easily. They will keep trying and tinkering with ways to do what they can’t do yet.
Why should you teach perseverance to kids?
As mentioned earlier, fostering a growth mindset in kids is crucial for their long-term success and well-being.
Encouraging your children to view challenges as opportunities for learning rather than obstacles will help them develop resilience and a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.
A growth mindset helps kids understand that effort and perseverance are key to overcoming difficulties and achieving their goals.
This outlook on life will not only enhance their academic performance but also build their confidence and resilience.
Influencing our kids to embrace the concept that their abilities can grow with dedication and effort will support them in navigating the complexities of life with a positive and proactive attitude.
Growth Mindset Activities For Kids
Encouraging a growth mindset in kids can be both fun and impactful with the right activities.
Here are some ideas to help foster a growth mindset:
1. Growth Mindset Books
One of the easiest ways to introduce a growth mindset to the kids in your life is through growth mindset books.
Through engaging stories and relatable characters that showcase the value of perseverance, effort, and learning from mistakes.
Growth mindset books often feature characters who face challenges, make mistakes, and ultimately achieve their goals through hard work and resilience.
These stories will demonstrate to kids how adopting a growth mindset can help them overcome obstacles and succeed. Additionally, these books often include messages and activities that reinforce the idea that abilities can be developed with effort and practice. Inspiring children to approach the challenges they face with a positive attitude. Thus, encouraging them to embrace learning opportunities and persist in the face of difficulties.
2. Role Models
Use examples such as Michael Jordan, JK. Rowling, Malala Yousafzai, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Explain how they have overcome their challenges, faced adversity, and built resilience to achieve success in their life.
Emphasizing the importance of hard work and perseverance, these individuals’ undertook may help kids understand that abilities can be developed through dedication and effort. Encouraging children to adopt a similar mindset in their own lives.
Motivating them to embrace challenges and view mistakes as stepping stones to success.
3. Shows
Movies such as Zootopia, Mona, Inside Out, Storks, and Sing are some of the many movies that are not only fun and engaging but also support kids having a growth mindset. These shows will encourage the kids in your life to embody their favorite characters’ personalities, building resilience, confidence, and a growth mindset.
4. Worksheets
Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset worksheets can be powerful tools for promoting a growth mindset in kids by providing structured opportunities for self-reflection, learning, and practice.
Including exercises that prompt kids to reflect on their attitudes and responses to challenges can help them identify areas where they may have a fixed mindset. This self-awareness is the first step in making positive changes in their approach to learning and problem-solving.
These growth mindset vs. fixed mindset worksheets provide practical tools for teaching your children about the benefits of a growth mindset, helping them develop the skills and attitudes needed to approach challenges with confidence and resilience.
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5. Growth Mindset Journals
Journaling offers a personalized and reflective approach to developing a growth mindset. Through regular journaling activities, kids can build self-awareness, track their progress, and reinforce positive thinking patterns. This often leads to a more resilient and growth-oriented approach to learning and challenges.
6. Praise Effort, Not Just Results
This strategy focuses on recognizing and encouraging the process of learning and hard work rather than solely celebrating the end outcome.
When praise is centered on effort, children learn that persistence and hard work are valuable. They understand that success comes from trying hard and not giving up, which motivates them to keep going even when faced with difficulties.
7. Model a Growth Mindset
As parents or educators, consider modeling a growth mindset to the kids in your life. You can do this by showing them you’re willing to tackle difficult tasks and face challenges with a positive attitude.
For example, take on projects or learn new skills that push you out of your comfort zone. Share your experiences and how you approach these challenges with persistence.
8. Compare Fixed Vs Growth Mindset Situations
Use situations or scenarios to showcase a fixed mindset and a growth mindset to your kids.
For example. A fixed mindset – Someone learning to play the piano and struggles with finding the right keys. They then adopt the belief they are not cut out to be playing the piano.
A growth mindset – Belief they can play the piano through committing to practice daily. Watch videos, and perhaps find a mentor or teacher.
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9. Encourage Problem-Solving
Problem-solving situations are invaluable for helping kids build a growth mindset because they offer practical opportunities to develop and apply resilience, creativity, and perseverance.
When kids are faced with challenges and work through problems, they learn that effort and persistence can lead to solutions and improvement. Promoting resilience and fostering creativity.
10. Introduce Growth Mindset Words
When children face difficulties, growth mindset words can boost their resilience. Expressions like “there’s no such thing as failure.” Or, “Keep trying, you’re making progress” reinforces the idea that perseverance and continuous effort lead to improvement and success.
YET! Introduce your kids to the power of yet. I can’t ride my bike YET!
Just because you can’t do something, doesn’t mean you never will – that’s the power of yet!
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Helping Kids Embrace Challenges
Incorporating these activities can help your kids develop a resilient, growth-oriented mindset that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Nurturing a growth mindset in your kids will foster a more adaptive and innovative approach to their academics or extracurricular activities.
A skill that will lead them to succeed in all areas of their life.
More Activities To Help Foster Resilience In Kids
Here are a few more blog posts you may be interested in:
- 6 Free growth mindset coloring pages for kids
- Growth mindset word search free printable
- Free growth mindset activity mat for kids
- Self esteem activities for kids free download
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