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Mindsets for kids


How to Nurture a Growth Mindset in Kids: 8 Best Activities

Success. Abundance. Prosperity. Intelligence. Talent. Skill.

These are all potential products of a growth mindset.

Why is it important to foster this mindset in children?

A growth mindset can encourage a passion for learning and an ease in facing new challenges. Children with a growth mindset outperform those with a fixed mindset and are more likely to bounce back from failures (Schroder et al., 2017).

Teachers concur on the importance of a growth mindset in children; however, many are unaware of how to nurture this mindset or implement the theory in their teaching (Boylan, Barblett, & Knaus, 2018).

Read on for ideas to foster a growth mindset in children that can be applied in a classroom or at home.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Meaning and Valued Living Exercises for free. These creative, science-based exercises will help you learn more about your values, motivations, and goals, and will give you the tools to inspire a sense of meaning in the lives of your clients, students, or employees.

This Article Contains:

  • Growth vs Fixed Mindset: Definition for Kids
  • Nurturing a Growth Mindset in Kids & Students
  • 8 Best Growth Mindset Activities for Children
  • 7 Questions to Ask Children and Students
  • 3 Must-Read Books on the Topic
  • Resources From PositivePsychology.com
  • A Take-Home Message
  • References

Growth vs Fixed Mindset: Definition for Kids

Simply put, a growth mindset is believing that your brain can grow and you can learn many new things. You are not born smart; you become smart.

A fixed mindset is quite the opposite. It is believing that you cannot learn new things. You are born with your knowledge and skills and cannot get smarter.

It may help to explain that the brain is like a muscle. Just like when you lift weights, when you exercise your brain, it will get bigger and stronger.

It is also important to teach children that kids with a growth mindset have a “can do” attitude. They often see challenges as an opportunity to learn and grow. Phrases like, “I can’t do it,” “I’m just not good at this,” and “This is too hard” are not a part of their vernacular. Instead, children with a growth mindset say, “I may not be able to do it, yet,” “This is hard, but I will try,” and “I can learn how to do this!”

Working toward a growth mindset shares the same premise as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Both involve moving negative thoughts into more positive thoughts and retraining the brain’s metacognitive thinking. Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles, we can view them as opportunities for growth.

Nurturing a Growth Mindset in Kids & Students

First and foremost, to nurture a growth mindset in others, it is important for educators or guardians to have a growth mindset themselves.

Andersen and Nielsen (2016) assert that parents’ fixed mindsets could prohibit children’s scholastic performance, particularly in reading.

The researchers delivered parent interventions, and the students who showed the most growth had parents who embraced a growth mindset. The parents who did not accept a growth mindset believed that their child’s reading abilities were fixed and that their participation in the intervention would have no effect on their child’s reading performance. Ultimately, these are the students who suffer.

A facilitator of a growth mindset must hold a strong conviction that all students can learn and be successful.

Jackie Gerstein (2014) offered an effective professional development opportunity. She provides many good materials for educators to help develop a growth mindset. Perusing the materials from her seminar, The Educator With a Growth Mindset: A Professional Development Workshop, can help educators become familiar with their own growth mindset.

It’s also critical to praise children for their effort rather than their ability or intelligence (Andersen & Nielsen, 2016; O’Rourke, Haimovitz, Ballweber, Dweck, & Popović, 2014). Parents who praise their child’s effort instead of their performance have a significantly positive effect on their children’s academic potential (Andersen & Nielsen, 2016; O’Rourke et al., 2014).

It is critical that adults focus on the process children take to obtain a skill, not the end result.

Establishing an incentive program for students who demonstrate growth and progression can help to foster a growth mindset. O’Rourke et al. (2014) found that by modifying a video game’s incentive structure, the game not only increased motivation, but also had the potential to improve students’ behavior positively in regard to mindset.

In their study, the researchers created a reward system within the video game that incentivized students’ persistence, use of strategy, and other behaviors consistent with a growth mindset. They coined the term ‘Brain Points.’

Providing children with personal examples of when a challenge was overcome or something was learned can also help encourage a growth mindset. Framing our language for children to reflect a growth mindset positively affects students’ implicit theories of self-belief (Navarro, 2020).

It can also be beneficial to display posters reminding students to practice a growth mindset (Einck, 2017). Here are some posters that might appeal to older students and some created for younger students. Both are available on Teachers Pay Teachers, along with many other posters and coloring pages at no cost.

Educators can infuse a growth mindset into their everyday vernacular with an honest dialogue, such as, “Oh, I found this cleaning really hard to do, but I just took one step at a time and got it done. I’m proud of the work I’ve done.” This dialogue can model what a growth mindset looks like. Additionally, this Growth Mindset Phrases for Children worksheet may help replace fixed mindset phrases with growth mindset phrases.

Remind students of a time when they couldn’t do something at first but learned how, or when they overcame a challenge. This could include walking, reading, tying their shoes, or riding a bike.

8 Best Growth Mindset Activities for Children

In addition to the suggestions above, these mindset activities may be implemented in the home or the classroom to help nurture a growth mindset.

1. The hard thing

Implement Duckworth’s “the hard thing” rule, where students choose a difficult task. The task could be tying their shoes, solving 10 addition problems in one minute, writing a three-page essay, or learning the multiplication tables.

Students should independently select their task and remain persistent in practicing their chosen task. Duckworth (2018) explains her household rule in this short video.

2. Grit pie exercise

In this exercise, the pie is the problem, and each slice is a possible cause. Have the child identify if the cause is permanent or temporary and whether they blame themselves or someone else.

Help the child view the problem as temporary and demonstrate how they can gain control by making some changes. Grit is critical, along with perseverance and self-discipline, as they are better predictors of success in college than the SAT or IQ tests (Bashant, 2014).

3. Individual conferences

Although conferences can be held for any subject, teacher–student conferences are an effective strategy for teaching writing, as they include the student as part of the collaboration (Bayraktar, 2013).

Teachers should meet with students individually to talk about areas of growth and to boost confidence levels. Teachers can discuss challenges the student has already overcome and the steps to achieve their goals. It’s also a great idea to discuss the “hard thing” they chose and what they are doing to master the task.

4. Vocabulary

Explicitly teach or review the definitions of words such as mindset, neurons, neuroplasticity, malleable, intelligence, and constructive feedback to better understand the growth mindset.

Vocabulary is important, particularly in reading, as it is the strongest predictor of later reading achievement (Rowe & Leech, 2019). By making these terms a normal part of students’ vernacular, educators can encourage a growth mindset and boost students’ vocabulary skills.

5. Interviews

Have students interview people in their lives and community about a challenge they faced. Example interview questions could include:

  • “What is a challenge you have faced?”
  • “How did you overcome that challenge?”
  • “What advice can you give to someone facing a challenge?”

The teacher can follow up with the interviewees to determine the student’s understanding of the two mindsets, as it shows how the student perceives their learning potential and allows the teacher to create a personalized approach to learning (Jennings & Cuevas, 2021).

6. Comparison chart

Differentiate a growth mindset from a fixed mindset by categorizing statements into a “T-chart.” T-charts are an effective and common way to represent data (Blanton & Kaput, 2004) and help students to visualize the differences between growth and fixed mindset phrases.

7. Books

There is a plethora of books for children on the topic of the growth mindset. Reading a few of these books together will help the student or child become familiar with the strategies needed for a growth mindset.

Books are an excellent tool for promoting a classroom with a growth mindset (Einck, 2017).

Examples include:

  • Growth Mindset Book Series by Esther Pia Cordova. Find the books on Amazon.
    • I Can’t Do That, YET: Growth Mindset
    • A World Without Failures
    • Little Bears Can Do BIG Things
    • Your Thoughts Matter
  • Mistakes Are How I Learn by Kiara Wilson. Find the book on Amazon.
  • Growth Mindset Kids Activities for Ages 4-12 by Mark Steven. Find the book on Amazon.
  • I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations for Kids by Gabi Garcia. Find the book on Amazon.
  • Pelican and Pelican’t by Sarah Froeber. Find the book on Amazon.

8. Movies

Like books, movies are also an effective resource for nurturing a growth mindset (Einck, 2017). Watch films that include examples of people overcoming challenges and discuss the challenges the characters are facing. Identify the strategies they used to overcome those challenges.

  • Remember the Titans
  • The Blind Side
  • Good Will Hunting
  • Moana
  • Brave
  • Finding Nemo

7 Questions to Ask Children and Students

It is imperative to build students’ metacognitive skills.

Getting them to “think about their thinking” can help foster a growth mindset, as can discussing challenges and setbacks.

The following questions can be used to begin conversations about growth mindset strategies.

  1. What is your brain saying?
    If it’s saying you cannot do something, say, “No thanks, brain. I can do this.” Self-talk is very important and can improve self-confidence and self-efficacy (Tod, Hardy, & Oliver, 2011).
  2. What is the hard part? How can you overcome that hard part?
    Having children identify the difficult element of the problem can help them realize that the entire activity is not hard. Perhaps there is only a portion of it that is tricky.
  3. What are some challenges you have already overcome?
    Discussing previous challenges and indicating that they have already overcome them can help empower the child.
  4. What are some of your favorite strategies you used to overcome challenges?
    Bringing attention to all the strategies they have used in the past reminds children that they have the tools to succeed.
  5. What is a mistake you made that taught you something?
    Showing students that mistakes help us to learn can make mistakes seem less scary.
  6. What challenge did you face today and what strategy did you use to overcome that challenge?
    Asking this each day prepares children to anticipate facing challenges every day.
  7. “Let’s talk about what you’ve tried, and what you can try next” (Dweck, 2015, p. 20).
    Dweck (2015) suggested this statement to help children become “unstuck.” Instead of an empty phrase, such as, “You’ll get it next time,” Dweck’s phrase helps children to work through the problem.

3 Must-Read Books on the Topic

There is an abundance of books available to understand a growth mindset. The books selected below can help adults encourage a growth mindset in children.

1.

The Grit Workbook for Kids: CBT Skills to Help Kids Cultivate a Growth Mindset and Build Resilience – Elisa Nebolsine

This workbook is recommended by therapists and aims to help adults help children develop grit, an essential element of a growth mindset.

There are 28 engaging, high-quality activities to empower kids to succeed.

Find the book on Amazon.

2.

Becoming a Growth Mindset School: The Power of Mindset to Transform Teaching, Leadership and Learning – Chris Hildrew

To encourage a school-wide shift to a growth mindset, this book would be the perfect guide. This book is designed for educational leaders and provides a blueprint for an evidence-based school transformation.

Helping staff develop a growth mindset, creating a growth mindset curriculum, and involving parents in the development of a growth mindset are all described in this valuable text.

Find the book on Amazon.

3.

The Growth Mindset Playbook: A Teacher’s Guide to Promoting Student Success – Annie Brock and Heather Hundley

This resource is ideal for teacher lesson planning for encouraging a growth mindset.

Any classroom could benefit from the research-based training methods encompassed in this follow-up to the bestselling book The Growth Mindset Coach.

Find the book on Amazon.

 

Resources From PositivePsychology.com

We have a great selection of articles and worksheets that can help develop a growth mindset.

The article 5+ Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset Using Grit and Resilience has a section addressing the growth mindset for children and includes several book recommendations for adults looking to read more on the subject.

11 Mindset Activities and Tests Designed to Nurture Growth is a source of assessment tools and activities an educator can complete to affirm a thorough understanding of a growth mindset.

Learn more about the differences between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset in Growth Mindset vs. Fixed + Key Takeaways From Dweck’s Book. This article also includes links to posters that can be used on a classroom bulletin board.

Older students can complete the Self-Awareness Worksheet for Older Children to identify their strengths and needs. They are also able to identify who they can go to for help. Additionally, Learning From My Work is a useful tool for older students to reflect on their work.

The My Gifts – Traits and Talents activity can be used with a range of students and asks students to identify their unique qualities, traits, and talents. Students also create a box using the template provided to recall their unique qualities when they may need a reminder.

Shuffle is an activity that can be used to foster resilience while encouraging kindness, employing the game Rock, Paper, Scissors.

If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others discover meaning, check out this collection of 17 validated meaning tools for practitioners. Use them to help others choose directions for their lives in alignment with what is truly important to them.

A Take-Home Message

A fixed mindset should be discouraged; however, don’t cross the line into toxic positivity by just saying, “You can do this.” Model a growth mindset. Explain a growth mindset. Really live it and show what a growth mindset looks like in real life.

Allow children and students a moment of “struggle time.” Don’t be a “lawnmower” parent or teacher, who mows down challenges for their child so they no longer have to face difficulties. This practice prevents the growth that comes from those challenges.

It is critical to keep in mind that this mindset is developed over time and is not something that happens instantaneously. Implement a variety of activities. Using the multitude of resources provided here can help nurture a growth mindset in children and instill a lifelong love of learning.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Meaning and Valued Living Exercises for free.

  • Andersen, S. C., & Nielsen, H. S. (2016). Reading intervention with a growth mindset approach improves children’s skills. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(43), 12111–12113.
  • Bashant, J. (2014). Developing grit in our students: Why grit is such a desirable trait, and practical strategies for teachers and schools. Journal for Leadership and Instruction, 13(2), 14–17.
  • Bayraktar, A. (2013). Nature of interactions during teacher-student writing conferences: Revisiting the potential effects of self-efficacy beliefs. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 50, 63–85.
  • Blanton, M. L., & Kaput, J. J. (2004). Elementary grades students’ capacity for functional thinking. International Group for the Psychology Of Mathematics Education. University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, U. S.A.
  • Boylan, F., Barblett, L., & Knaus, M. (2018). Early childhood teachers’ perspectives of growth mindset: Developing agency in children. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 43(3), 16–24.
  • Brock, A., & Hundley, H. (2017). The growth mindset playbook: A teacher’s guide to promoting student success. Ulysses Press.
  • Duckworth, A. (2018). The hard thing rule. Global Leadership Network. Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://globalleadership.org/videos/leading-yourself/the-hard-thing-rule
  • Dweck, C. (2015, September 22). Carol Dweck revisits the growth mindset. Education Week, 35(5), 20–24.
  • Einck, C. (2017). Growth mindset affects elementary students (Master’s thesis, Northwestern College, Orange City, IA). Retrieved November 5, 2021, from http://nwcommons.nwciowa.edu/education_masters/39/
  • Gerstein, J. (2014). The educator with a growth mindset: A staff workshop. User Generated Education. Retrieved October 25, 2021, from https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2014/08/29/the-educator-with-a-growth-mindset-a-staff-workshop/
  • Hildrew, C. (2018). Becoming a growth mindset school: The power of mindset to transform teaching, leadership and learning. Routledge.
  • Jennings, C., & Cuevas, J. A. (2021). Teacher impact on student growth mindset. Perspectives in Learning, 19(1), 4.
  • Navarro, S. (2020). Modeling growth mindset: How parental involvement benefits student cognitive development. Digital Commons-Saint Mary’s California.
  • Nebolsine, E. (2020). The grit workbook for kids: CBT skills to help kids cultivate a growth mindset and build resilience. Instant Help.
  • O’Rourke, E., Haimovitz, K., Ballweber, C., Dweck, C., & Popović, Z. (2014). Brain points: A growth mindset incentive structure boosts persistence in an educational game. In CHI 2014: One of a CHInd – Conference Proceedings, 32nd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 3339–3348). Association for Computing Machinery.
  • Rowe, M. L., & Leech, K. A. (2019). A parent intervention with a growth mindset approach improves children’s early gesture and vocabulary development. Developmental Science, 22(4).
  • Schroder, H. S., Fisher, M. E., Lin, Y., Lo, S. L., Danovitch, J. H., & Moser, J. S. (2017). Neural evidence for enhanced attention to mistakes among school-aged children with a growth mindset. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 24, 42–50.
  • Tod, D., Hardy, J., & Oliver, E. (2011). Effects of self-talk: A systematic review. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 33(5), 666–687.

How to Teach Growth Mindset to Children

Developing the right mindset early on is crucial for a successful, happy life. When children learn putting forth effort and using the right strategies can help them get better at things, they feel empowered, and try harder. When they know their brains are capable of growing, they are more confident, resilient, and not afraid to fail! 

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our FREE Your Words Matter Volume 2 Kit. With these 10 one-page parenting guides, you will know exactly how to speak to your child to help them stand up for themselves, be more confident, and develop a growth mindset.

WHAT IS A GROWTH MINDSET?

We all have beliefs about our own abilities and potential. These beliefs are part of our mindset, which is so powerful they can fuel our behavior and predict our success. Mindset shapes our everyday lives, helping us interpret our experiences and future possibilities. 

In her research at Stanford University, Dr. Carol Dweck identified two different types of mindsets. A growth mindset occurs when we believe our intelligence and abilities can be improved with effort and the right strategies.

A willingness to confront challenges, a passion for learning, and viewing failure as a springboard for growth are all characteristics associated with a growth mindset. Not surprisingly, this type of mindset is strongly linked to greater happiness and achievement in life.

In contrast, those with a fixed mindset believe their intelligence and abilities cannot be altered in a meaningful way. As a result, mistakes are often seen as failures rather than opportunities to grow and learn. When stuck in a fixed mindset, we may fear new experiences, avoid risks, and feel the need to repeatedly prove ourselves over and over again.

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

Teaching a growth mindset to children is not an easy task but it could become one of the greatest contributions you make toward their success and happiness.

In this 4-week guide, you will find the KEY elements for establishing a growth mindset at home or in your classroom. Each week offers a variety of suggested activities and resources, as well as suggested scripts to facilitate easy and fun discussions with your child or students.

3 STEPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF THIS GUIDE
  1. Prepare. Some easy planning can do wonders to create a relaxed atmosphere. Be sure you have the recommended resources before you begin. Though not required, they are designed to make this process much easier for you and more fun for children.
  2. Set aside time. A dedicated time for the suggested activities will allow children to not feel rushed. Just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
  3. Spark their curiosity. When you show excitement about learning this new concept, children will be curious and will want to know why.

WHAT TO DO AFTER THIS GUIDE

Developing growth mindset is a lifelong journey and this guide is designed to help you begin. When you complete this 4-week program, continue implementing everything you learned in weeks three and four. In addition, your child or students can keep working on their Big Life Journal, listening to the Big Life Kids podcast, and using our Free Friday Printables. 

WEEK ONE: INTRODUCE IT

This week, children will learn about the concepts of mindset and how the two types, growth and fixed, differ. You will also discuss the BRAIN and how it can grow and strengthen in response to challenges.

As you introduce these new ideas, keeping the tone fun and light will go a long way towards engaging children.

Step 1: Build the Foundation 

Have a family or classroom discussion about the following questions:

  1. What does it mean to grow? What sorts of things grow? Answers will vary. Growth means to develop, change, mature, and evolve. Living things grow - plants, animals, and people. Even our brains can grow!

  2. When you think of the brain or minds, what do you think mindset means? Mindset is the way our brain perceives ourselves and the world. Our mindset helps us look at problems and mistakes in a positive way!

  3. Let’s put those words together: growth and mindset. When we combine them, it means something really important. What could growth mindset mean? A growth mindset is believing in the power of yourself and your brain! We know our intellect and abilities develop when we try difficult things, use the right strategies, and don’t give up. So a growth mindset is when we know, with practice, we will get better at something.

  4. If fixed is the opposite of growth, what does it mean to have a FIXED mindset? A fixed mindset means you think you can’t get better at things, even if you practice. Wanting to quit, giving up, or deciding we’re just not good at something are all clues we have a fixed mindset.

Use this mindset graphic to demonstrate and discuss the differences between the two mindsets.

Use the suggested script below to discuss mindset.

"Everyone in the world has a way of perceiving things. We call this a mindset. You have a mindset, your friends have a mindset, and your teacher has a mindset. 

We can choose to look at the world in a way that makes us feel strong and happy, or in a way that makes us feel frustrated and weak.

People with a growth mindset know they can get better by working hard. They keep trying even when things are tough and they say things such as, ‘I can’t do this...yet’ or ‘Mistakes help me learn.’

People with a fixed mindset feel differently as if they are stuck with the way things are. A fixed mindset can happen to anyone at some time or another but it's important we choose to have a growth mindset, keep trying, and stick with challenges."

Step 2: Share Examples from Your Own Lives

Share a personal story about when you were stuck and used hard work and/or help from others to overcome a challenge. 

Ask your child or class to share similar examples from their lives. In the classroom, this could be done with everyone together or in smaller groups. Use the "My Mindset Journey Cards" printable (Growth Mindset Printables Kit) as a fun activity for children to gauge their understanding of two types of mindset.

Step 3: Discuss the Power of the Brain

Discuss the brain and its remarkable ability to change and grow. Use our suggested script below.

“Now that we know what growth mindset is, let’s speak a bit more about our brain and the amazing things it can do! Did you know you can grow your brain when you try new things and don’t give up when something is tough?

Learning something new is hardest the first time, but your brain behaves like a muscle and gets stronger every time things are repeated. Let’s watch a video [see suggestions below] to help us understand this even better.”

Use the "Build a Growth Mindset" poster (Growth Mindset Printables Kit) for this step. It's a great activity for children to learn more about how their brain works and exercise their creativity.

Suggested Resources for Week One:
  1. Growth Mindset Poster (PDF) can serve as an inspirational growth mindset manifesto.
  2. "Build a Growth Mindset" Poster (Growth Mindset Printables Kit) is a fun activity where children learn about the power of their brain.
  3. My Mindset Journey Cards (Growth Mindset Printables Kit) will help teach the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset using fun daily reminder cards.
  4. Big Life Journal (ages 7-10). Use chapter one “Believe in Yourself” to discuss how your thoughts and self-talk can impact your mindset.
  5. Big Life Kids Podcast is a growth mindset podcast for children, which accompanies the Big Life Journal - 2nd Edition. Listen to episodes 1 and 2.
  6. Parent's Guide to a Growth Mindset (Growth Mindset Printables Kit) provides specific examples of what to say and ask to help your children develop a growth mindset.

READ

  1. Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak (ages 4-8)
  2. The Ultimate Guide to Praising Your Children (article for adults)
  3. How to Explain Growth Mindset to Children: Neuroplasticity Activities (article for adults)
  4. The Brain is Like a Muscle (article for adults and older children)

WATCH

  1. Growth Mindset Video (2. 5 minutes)
  2. Learning and the Brain (3 minutes) 

WEEK TWO: NOTICE IT

This week, you begin to identify growth and fixed mindsets in ourselves and others. Everywhere you look, you can find examples of others either quitting or overcoming their challenges.

Step 1: Reflecting on Definitions

Go back to the definitions of growth and fixed mindset from Week One. Did anyone notice a time they were using either mindset? Discuss how we can change from a fixed to a growth mindset with simple words and phrases. 

Use the suggested script below.

“Last week we spoke about a growth mindset and how our brains get stronger when we persist and don’t give up. Have you noticed a time you had a growth mindset in the last few days? Did you feel your brain growing? What about a time you felt stuck?”

This week, complete the 5-Day Growth Mindset Challenge (Challenges Kit) to help children solidify the concepts (join them as their challenge buddy). Designed for all learning styles, this challenge includes fun activities such as matching games, word search, and filling in the blanks.

Step 2: Practice Switching from a Fixed to Growth Mindset

Ask your child/class to think of some FIXED mindset phrases commonly used at home or anywhere else (“I am not good at this”, “I can’t do anything right”), and write them down.

Next, create a list of alternate phrases that reflect a growth mindset (“I’m not good at this yet”). Above the fixed mindset column, write “Instead of” and on the Growth mindset column, “I Can Say…”

Use the suggested script below.

“Let's think of things we say when we're stuck in a fixed mindset and write them down. We can then come up with other words to switch from the fixed mindset into a growth mindset. I'm sure we can come up with lots of good ideas!”

Use the My Growth Mindset Statements printable (Growth Mindset Printables Kit) as a guide for this step. Cover the area under “I Can Say” and only show underneath where it says “Instead of.” 

Ask your children how they can change each statement from negative to empowering. For example, you could ask, “What is a better way of looking at a situation?” 

Step 3: Display Visuals as Everyday Reminders

Display visuals around your home/classroom as regular reminders of new vocabulary and ideas. Have the child/class locate their favorite spots to hang posters and refer to them frequently throughout the day.

Then, when you hear a child making a fixed mindset statement, you can simply point to a poster and have them read it (or read together).

You can use our printable Inspirational Posters Bundle (PDF). A convenient bundle of inspiring posters with growth mindset messages for kids, tweens, and teens.

Step 4: Discuss How Growth Mindset Looks, Feels, and Sounds

Set aside at least several minutes to discuss how growth mindset can be easily included in your everyday lives.  

Use the What Success Really Takes poster (Growth Mindset Printables Kit) to remind your family or class that success is like an iceberg. Most people only see the great outcome, the tip of the iceberg. But, what success really takes lies beneath the surface. Use the blank poster to write everything your child is working on to help them achieve their goals.

In school: Consider how growth mindset LOOKS, FEELS, and SOUNDS in class and use the printables Growth Mindset A-Z Poster (Growth Mindset Printables Kit) to write down everyone’s ideas. Make Growth Mindset Guide one of your classroom jobs.

Step 5: Use Book Characters

Identify growth and fixed mindsets in favorite books characters. Pay attention to how the characters FEEL depending on their mindset and discuss ways persistence, love of learning, and resilience are portrayed.

Point out when a character shifts from a fixed to a growth mindset too.

Use the suggested script below.

“In so many of your favorite books, the characters are learning to have growth mindsets too. Let’s pick one now and try to find all the ways we see it happening!”

Make the Growth Mindset Bookmarks (Growth Mindset Printables Kit) as a fun activity for children to practice noticing growth mindset characters in books.

Suggested Resources for Week Two: 
  1. 5-Day Growth Mindset Challenge (Challenges Kit) will help your child practice growth mindset concepts and vocabulary.
  2. Inspirational Posters can be hung up in a bedroom or a classroom.
  3. My Growth Mindset Statements (Growth Mindset Printables Kit)
  4. What Success Really Takes (Growth Mindset Printables Kit)
  5. Growth Mindset Bookmarks Activity (Growth Mindset Printables Kit)
  6. Big Life Journal - use chapter two “Mistakes Help You Grow” to discuss how mistakes are just opportunities to learn and grow.
  7. Big Life Kids Podcast - listen to episodes 3 and 5 (they accompany chapter two of the Big Life Journal).

READ

  1. Top 85 Growth Mindset Books is a list of our favorite and most popular books for you and your children!
  2. Empowering Self-Confidence Affirmations

WATCH

  1. Top 50 Growth Mindset Movies for Children is a list of good movies with characters who demonstrate a growth mindset, grit, perseverance, courage, and determination.

    WEEK THREE: MODEL IT 

    Your ability to MODEL a growth mindset can make the difference between a child understanding the concept and actually living it. Let them see your growth mindset in action.

    Step 1: Share Your Experiences

    Be honest when something is difficult for you. Tell children when you’re discouraged, share your fixed mindset thoughts, and brainstorm solutions out loud. Show them we’re ALL learning this growth mindset thing together!

    The Big Life Journal Daily Edition is a great connection tool which provides opportunities for discussions and experience sharing.

    Use the What Happens When Someone Has a Growth Mindset poster (Growth Mindset Printables Kit) to discuss which of the benefits you have already experienced yourself since you began your growth mindset journey.

    Step 2: Discuss Feelings

    Discuss how positive feelings such as satisfaction, contentment, and happiness come from persisting through challenges and not giving up when it gets difficult. 

    When stuck in a fixed mindset, share how you felt sad, anxious, or even hopeless. Negative feelings happen to everyone and are perfectly normal. At the same time, they may serve as clues you need to shift your thinking and attitude.

    You can use the Feelings Bingo (Emotional Intelligence Kit). A fun spin on a classic all-time favorite game! Use the Feelings Spinner to play with the bingo. The Feelings Ice Cream poster will help you identify similar feelings so you can cross them out and win the game.

    Step 3: Set a New Goal 

    Set a personal goal to learn something new and share your learning process with your child or students. How did you feel at the start? What can you do to be certain you don’t give up before achieving it? Review ways children can set and meet their own goals. 

    Step 4: Use the Power of Yet

    With one simple word, any fixed mindset phrase can be transformed into a statement of hope. “I can’t do this...yet.” It’s all about the FUTURE, and not giving up until we get there.

    Make a “YET” bulletin board or designate a wall at home for all the things you can’t do...yet!

      Use the suggested script below.

      “Even though I know about growth mindset, I still have to work on it. Especially when something is difficult for me. I can tell I’m in a fixed mindset when I have thoughts about quitting and start to feel frustrated. When I feel like that, I know I need to change my thinking to a different mindset.

      One way that works is just using the word ‘yet.’ We can add it onto the end of almost any sentence to change our thinking. For example, when I get frustrated by a challenge and think ‘I’ll never get it,’ I just say, “I don’t get it...yet.” Or if I think I can’t do something, I’ll say, “I can’t do it...yet.”

      ‘YET’ is almost like a magic word because it can instantly make us feel stronger. It gives us hope and strength to keep going when things become difficult.

      Can you think of a sentence that ends with ‘yet’ that can make you feel stronger and more powerful?”

      Suggested Resources for Week Three:
      1. What Happens When Someone Has a Growth Mindset poster (Growth Mindset Printables Kit)
      2. Feelings Bingo (Emotional Intelligence Kit)
      3. Famous Failures Kit is a set of stories highlighting famous people from around the world who have failed and struggled on their way to success.  
      4. Big Life Journal - use chapter three “Be Persistent” to discuss how sometimes we just need to give our brain enough time to learn new things.
      5. Big Life Kids Podcast - listen to episodes 5 and 6 (they accompany chapter three of the Big Life Journal)

      READ

      1. Not Yet by Lisa Cox (ages 4-8)
      2. Flight School by Lita Judge (ages 4-8)

      WATCH

      1. Janelle Monae “The Power of Yet” (Sesame Street, 2015) (2.5 minutes)
      2. C.J. Luckey - The Power of Yet by Andre Kahmeyer (4 minutes)

      WEEK FOUR: PRACTICE IT

      Having a growth mindset is all about effort, so what better way to teach it than through practice, practice, practice?

      Step 1: Praise for a Growth Mindset

      Praise for perseverance in problem-solving rather than being smart or talented. Connect positive results with effort rather than innate ability, and children will be more willing to take risks and value working hard. When you notice hard work or positive self-talk, make sure you tell them!

      If you need some ideas on what to say, download our FREE Your Words Matter Kit. With these 10 popular parenting guides, you will know exactly how to speak to your children to help them develop confidence, internal motivation, and a can-do attitude.

       

      Step 2: Make It a Game

      Introduce various games like the "Mystery Fun Game” (Growth Mindset Printables Kit) to make the learning fun.  

      Print out the Mystery Fun poster and write a mystery prize or activity on it (a trip to the zoo, favorite breakfast, popcorn party, etc.)

      Next, cut out the growth mindset task squares ("Celebrated a mistake", "Used a YET!") and tape them over the mystery prize. Whenever someone completes a growth mindset task, remove a square.

      When all the squares have been removed and the mystery prize is revealed -- it's time to celebrate!

      Step 3: Encourage Productive Struggle

      In the safe environment of your home or class, give children time to think through their challenges, brainstorm solutions, and seek help if needed. Grappling with a problem builds resilience, so give children time for reflection before jumping in to help or “save” them. 

      Use My Mighty Treasure Coins (Self-Esteem & Confidence Kit) to help your children or students understand the challenges they’re facing and practice finding ways to overcome them. 

      Step 4: Reframe Mistakes

      Get excited when opportunities for growth occur! In a challenging moment, say things like, “This seems like an opportunity to grow our brains!” Create  
      an environment where setbacks are expected and even celebrated.

      Step 5: Hit Pause

      Exercising the brain can be difficult for children. When your child (or you) becomes frustrated, it’s okay to take a break. “It’s time to give our brains a little rest. We’ll come back to this tomorrow!”

      Use the Brain Breaks Activities (Gratitude & Mindfulness Kit) if you feel a physical exercise could be beneficial in a moment of frustration.  

      Being watchful of your own fixed mindset “triggers” can help with this process.

        Suggested Resources for Week Four:
        1. Mystery Fun Game (Growth Mindset Printables Kit)
        2. My Mighty Treasure Coins (Self-Esteem & Confidence Kit) 
        3. When I Make a Mistake Poem printable (Growth Mindset Printables Kit)
        4. Brain Breaks Activities (Gratitude & Mindfulness Kit)
        5. Big Life Journal - use chapter four “Be Grateful” to discuss how a growth mindset can also help us develop the desired qualities such as gratitude.
        6. Big Life Kids Podcast - listen to episodes 7 and 8 (they accompany chapter four of the Big Life Journal). 

        READ

        1. Mistakes That Worked by Charlotte Foltz Jones (ages 8-12)
        2. The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires (ages 3-7)
        3. How to Teach Problem Solving Skills to Children  (article for adults)
        4. The Ultimate Guide to Praising Your Kids (article for adults)

           

          all logic for preschoolers and primary school children

          A child with a developed logic stands out among his peers. It is easier for him to learn, understand and memorize the material. There are more than 3500 tasks with answers and explanations on LogicLike, a full-fledged educational complex for the development of logic.

          Start classes Start classes nine0003

          Is logic a hype or a must-have?

          People believe the news, make expensive purchases on credit, press the button harder than usual remote control, although they understand that it is time to replace the batteries.

          Most people are biased, their thoughts and words are based on prejudice, pride, suspicion and fear. Even the smartest people often make important decisions for them. absolutely illogical. nine0003

          “Unstable mood and illogicality are the main weaknesses human nature." (Joseph Addison)

          Habits of thinking largely determine the life of a person. And logical thinking is not given person by default. This is a special kind of thought process that needs to be learned.

          When a person thinks logically, he: nine0003

          • separates essential from non-essential;
          • operates with clear concepts and designs;
          • comprehends and evaluates the prerequisites known to him, checks their credibility;
          • explores the causal relationships between them − argues sequentially;
          • aims to build a conclusion and be able to substantiate it to yourself and those around you.

          Popular idea: a programmer, engineer, top manager.

          But are there really people who do not need to be able to work with information, draw the right conclusions and make better decisions? nine0003

          Our conclusion is that logic is vital for any person! As soon as we understood this, an idea came create a product that will bring tangible benefits to any person.

          ALL LOGIC IN GAME FORM!

          • Flexible Mind and confidence Regular workouts on LogicLike develop ingenuity and self-confidence - "I can solve any problem or problem"! nine0020
          • Foundation for IT We teach how to work with information competently, develop logical and mathematical intelligence, memory and thinking.
          • Sip "fresh air" for parents You can spend 20-30 minutes on yourself while the child develops. By the way, doing LogicLike is also interesting for adults.

          Start the course!

          LogicLike is a game form, a step-by-step technique. You can study online at any convenient time. nine0003

          At what age to develop logic?

          For the development of children from the first years of life, hundreds of author's methods have been developed, dozens of thousands of magazines, manuals and educational cartoons. All toys for children from 1 year old have become educational, and board and online games now contain a long list of skills in the description, which they train. Outdoor advertising for children's centers encourages the development of logical thinking from 3 years old. How can parents not get confused? nine0003

          Is it worth doing logic at 4-5 years old?

          Scientific works in the field of pedagogy speak of the importance and need to purposefully develop logic in schoolchildren, especially in primary grades.

          Parents and children, as a rule, face the first difficulties already at school. For a first grader there is a huge amount of new information that needs to be learned. nine0003

          It is important to learn to understand the meaning of what you read or hear, to be able to express your own vision and understanding of the issue.

          At four or five years old, most children are already able to master the basic logical operations: comparison, analysis, synthesis and classification. No need to force! But is it worth missing this wonderful age when you can just try? nine0003

          Try our tasks and exercises for logical thinking:

          Logic tasks and puzzles

          Permutations nine0003

          Spatial puzzles

          Find the extra

          patterns nine0003

          Sets

          Start classes!

          Child 6+, getting ready for school or already studying?

          In senior preschool and primary school age, the child has a peak of cognitive activity, verbal-logical thinking moves to a new level. nine0003

          Imagine your child:

          • sincere interest in logical and mathematical tasks;
          • amazing cognitive abilities;
          • he knows how to quickly work with information, easily highlights and remembers the very essence;
          • reasons logically correctly; nine0020
          • makes informed decisions.

          The peak of cognitive activity (5-10 years) is the best time to develop logic and teach your child to think!

          It is important for parents to remember: the methods of thinking are not formed in the head of the child by themselves. It is necessary to purposefully teach the child and it is important not to miss the moment. nine0003

          How to develop the logical thinking of a student?

          After entering grade 1, many parents breathe a sigh of relief and shift the education of their children on the shoulders of the school. But is it worth relying on the curriculum and school teachers in matters of development of logic?

          A capable child comes to school and ... learns to count and solve typical problems. nine0003

          Practicing teachers know: primary school students, and often teenagers, do not know how to independently think, reason and draw reasonable conclusions. Often, students have difficulties in applying comparison methods, determining causes and deriving consequences.

          Logical analysis skills, the ability to reason correctly, find non-standard solutions - that's what distinguishes truly gifted, talented children from exemplary excellence. nine0003

          School programs orient primary school teachers to use mainly assignments training type, which are based on imitation, are performed by analogy, therefore, not in fully engage the mind. And the ability to express judgments, build logical chains and to perform other logical actions must be developed and trained. nine0003

          Teachers would be happy to diversify the learning process with riddles on the development of logical thinking or puzzles with matches. In preschool institutions it is a popular way to warm up the mind. But in most schools the question "warm-up" boils down to the following: how to be in time with exercises for the eyes and hands?

          We draw conclusions! nine0003

          • School teachers are not responsible reasonable.
          • It is important to explain to the child that at school he receives fundamental knowledge that will help him to develop further.
          • Developing logic at home (outside of school) is a great addition to main school curriculum.

          What is especially important for preschoolers and first graders?

          The thinking of a preschooler is initially visual-figurative in nature and only in the course of the educational process gradually develops into a conceptual, verbal-logical. Any visual educational materials preschooler and schoolchildren will be easier to perceive and understand, with great interest and pleasure to complete tasks and solve problems. nine0003

          We figured out how to help parents and teachers, and most importantly, children!

          Especially for preschoolers and younger students, we have created an online educational platform LogicLike. The site includes everything necessary for the development of logical and critical skills in children. thinking. The platform can be used for independent training (usually from 7-8 years old) and for the whole family. nine0003

          Any child likes short, clear tasks with attractive pictures.

          To decide click Start!

          Choose an object that does not fit the rest in shape:

          To decide click Start! nine0003

          All logic for kids online!

          Interactive elements activate figurative thinking, involve children in the game. Check out our non-standard tasks for logic and thinking, start learning with age-appropriate collection of educational games:

          for children 4-5 years old nine0003

          for children 6 years old

          games for 7 years old

          games for 8 years old

          nine0002 games for 9 year olds

          See more about educational games for children - an online solution from LogicLike, offline lesson ideas.

          Fascinating exercises and tasks with answers and comments. Just to see examples tasks for logic, choose the age of the child: nine0003

          • 5-6 years
          • 6-7 years
          • 7-8 years
          • 8-9 years
          • 9-10 years
          • 10-11 9 years old0020

          2 classes, choice of difficulty

          • Complete 3 starting chapters of the logic course - and open access to different categories. Try "Logic tasks", "True and falsehood", "Smart Count", "3D Thinking". nine0020
          • Try tasks of different difficulty levels: Novice, Experienced, Expert.

          Start the course!

          Theory nine0063

          For the formation of verbal-logical thinking, we offer our theoretical base for all sections of logic, adapted for children of primary school age. In text format reveal the basic concepts, categories and organically supplement them with images, video materials and examples of tasks with analysis of the solution.

          Thus, the conceptual apparatus of the student expands, he learns to learn, to choose which of acquired theoretical knowledge must be used in solving a specific problem, and applies them. nine0003

          To decide tasks, click Start classes!

          Mom and daughter, as well as mom and dad, ordered different dishes. How to distribute plates?

          Clue nine0003

          The authors and developers of the LogicLike program took into account such a feature of children's thinking as insensitivity to contradiction, which is why it is typical for children to commit the same mistakes multiple times. To help the student avoid this and better learn new material, and not just remember the correct answer, the Logic lab provides comments with logical reflections on tasks already completed. nine0003

          Motivation and social aspect

          Psychologists say that in children from the age of 7-8 years, the striving for leadership and accumulation of own achievements. Therefore, the main motive the child's activity becomes a motive for achieving success. It is also typical for younger students self-centeredness, and constantly updated ratings allow him to compare his successes with achievements other peers, to objectively evaluate the effectiveness of their studies by logic. nine0003

          A well-thought-out rating system and rewards for each correctly completed task is a powerful incentive for the student to strive to do the exercises correctly on the first try, which means taking the learning process seriously, thinking and making decisions.

          In the Logic Lab, children see themselves as part of a good group of friends. Always near A professor who will praise or make you think, and a Robot Klapan who is ready to help good advice. In the rating, the child sees tens of thousands of guys like him, who are on the way to new heights of logic enthusiastically solve one puzzle after another. On the achievement page parents monitor the progress of the child. nine0003

          System

          More than 3500 unique tasks for the development of logical thinking LogicLike distributed over 17 thematic sections. In addition to text tasks for logic that are in demand at school, questions on topics "Patterns", "False and true statements", there are dozens of other types of tasks on the site: puzzles for logical thinking, puzzles for the development of spatial thinking, tasks adapted for children's understanding on the topics "Algorithms" and "Combinatorics", mathematical puzzles, exercises and games on development of logical thinking. nine0003

          Unlike mathematics lessons, on LogicLike the student can choose the section that interests him today. However, it is impossible to move to a new, more difficult level until all tasks from the previous level. This is how we eliminate possible gaps in knowledge, ensure consistency learning.

          The passage of the LOGIC program ensures the formation of flexible critical thinking in children and develops the ability to think logically. And most importantly, our young people really like the educational process. logic lovers. Both boys and girls enjoy "playing Logic": completing tasks perceived as an exciting computer game, not a school lesson. nine0003

          Entertaining online classes - a modern and effective approach to development logic in children and adults.

          Did you like the material? Share with friends!

          Connect to LogicLike!

          We teach to work with information and develop logic. More than 3500 entertaining tasks with answers and explanations. nine0003

          Start classes! Start classes!

          Development of thinking in preschool children

          One of the important features of a child in the future is the development of thinking today. It is important to start paying attention to this as early as possible.

          There is such a thing as a "sensitive period". This is the optimal stage for the development of a particular skill. For children, the period when the foundation is laid is the age from 1 year to 7 years. nine0003

          In the article we will talk about the stages of development of thinking in children, ways, as well as the connection of thinking with other skills.

          Contents of the article:

          • Features of thinking in preschool age
          • Stages of development of thinking
          • Thinking operations
          • How to develop the thinking of a preschooler
          • Exercises and games for the development of thinking in preschoolers
          • Conclusion

          Features of thinking at preschool age

          The brain of a preschooler is mobile and supple, open to new knowledge. That is why good habits, the desire to play sports, music, theatrical and artistic arts are laid precisely in the preschool period.

          In order for a child to be able to analyze and think, it is necessary to constantly set new tasks for him, as well as to modernize and complicate the skills already acquired.

          There are several factors that have a strong influence on a child's thinking:

          • Social circle. The older the child, the more children and adults around him should be. Kindergartens, circles and sections help with this. The kid should observe different behavior patterns of both adults and children.
          • Development of speech. The child learns to build sentences, to express his thoughts.
          • Formation of analytical worldview. Preschool children are characterized by the fact that they pay attention to shapes, color, size, spatial arrangement and time frame. nine0020
          • Acquisition of skills and abilities. The child learns to retell, read in syllables, sing.
          • Formation of personal qualities. Character, adaptability, initiative, organization - all this is formed as a result of educational activities.
          • Building self-esteem. A developed child is able to evaluate himself.
          • The emergence of self-control. The child learns to control his behavior and actions.

          Stages of development of thinking

          • visual and effective;
          • visual-figurative;
          • verbal-logical.

          Visual-effective thinking is formed at the age of 1-3 years. When, as a result of his actions, the child, without realizing it, draws conclusions “for the future”. And confirmation of this are toys, keyboards, parental gadgets disassembled for spare parts. The purpose of these actions is the knowledge of "what's inside?".

          Visual-figurative thinking is formed at the age of 3-7 years. It is during this period that the first signs of analysis appear. For example, having certain skills, a child can already tell what kind of toy it will feel by seeing it in a store window. Many people can already predict the situation. nine0003

          Closer to 6 years, the first inclinations of verbal-logical thinking appear. At this stage, the child begins to give detailed answers after analyzing the information, is able to build a sequence of events in the correct order, and can characterize almost any object. Speech is of paramount importance for the development of the child's thinking.

          Mental operations

          Observing how the child's thinking develops, the entire thought process can be divided into stages:

          • compare;
          • analysis;
          • synthesis;
          • generalization.

          At the stage of comparison, the child learns to find the same in the different, the different in the same. It is appropriate during this period to give “spot the differences” pictures, play memory games (start with 6 pairs of pictures, gradually increasing the number).

          At the stage of analysis, features, qualities, properties, materials and objects used are distinguished. In his imagination, the child can divide any product into its component parts. nine0003

          The synthesis stage is closely related to the analysis stage. Without analysis, synthesis will not work. An example of this is reading. Without memorizing the letters, without understanding how they merge into syllables, the child will not be able to read.

          Prominent signs of generalization are the selection of common features of objects, grouping. As soon as the child has a coherent speech, the use of a large number of generalizing concepts - you know, the stage of generalization has begun.

          How to develop the thinking of a preschooler

          The development of thinking goes through the game, as this is the leading type of activity. Everything can be played. From a pedagogical point of view, it should be developed in different directions. Involve your child more in housework.

          Check out the table, it contains the main types of exercises for the development of thinking in children, which we focus on in our classes.

          Occupations Description
          Task for the development of memory Memory of image elements, sequence of details, etc.
          Logic exercises Find what is missing, identify patterns using analysis, comparison, reasoning
          Classification tasks Sorting, grouping by characteristics and the like
          Attention exercises Finding the same properties, differences between objects, images, etc. nine0346
          Tasks for the development of spatial perception Development of visualization, spatial arrangement, solving puzzles and puzzles
          Analytical skills exercise Finding details that are superfluous or untrue
          Tasks for the formation of a strategic approach Thinking through a whole chain of actions. Sequence and Outcome Analysis

          Exercises and games for the development of thinking in preschoolers

          Let's look at the options for exercises and games that can be easily used in everyday life by the whole family.

          Games for the development of visual-effective thinking

          1. "Spread into groups" - a game in which the work of the eyes and hands is leading. For example, lay out large spoons, dessert and tea spoons in front of the child. Ask them to sort. The child must decide for himself on what basis to do this. nine0020
          2. Game "Build a row". Cylinder blocks, color plates, heat bottles, flavor bottles, tangrams and other materials can be used here. For example, you need to build a series from large to small. Cylinder blocks from the Montessori method are used. Colored plates of the same color, but different shades, must be decomposed from the darkest to the lightest.
          3. Game "Find a place for nesting dolls". It will require nesting dolls (minimum of 6 parts). We arrange the figures in a row at an equal distance from each other. Then we ask the child to close his eyes, remove one figure, and align the rest. The kid opens his eyes and tries to find a place between which figures the matryoshka stood. As the task is completed, the number of components should increase. nine0020

          Games for the development of visual-figurative thinking

          1. Game "What does it look like?". There are many variations of it. One of them might be to display an image of a bizarre blot. Give the child the opportunity to think about what it is, who it is, what it tastes like, what it smells like, what it does and other signs.
          2. Game "Name it in one word." Depending on the age of the child, the approach to the definition of objects will change. For children 3-4 years old - a simple generalization of the type: furniture, dishes, berries, flowers. For a child at the age of 5, the generalization should be deeper, for example: insects, wild animals, pets, professions, etc. Children 6-7 years old already operate with such concepts as animals of Africa, Asia, fruits of Europe, Asia, etc. nine0020
          3. Game "Give a definition". The child is offered an object that he characterizes. For example, we show a mug that needs to be described: large, father's, fragile, glass, etc. And then the child shows you the object, and you characterize it.

          Games for the development of verbal and logical thinking

          1. Game "Collect the picture". It is analogous to puzzles. The task of the child is to assemble a whole picture from several parts. The older the baby, the more details. nine0020
          2. The game "Continue the row." Draw a chain and a row of beads in a certain sequence of yellow, green, blue, pink, and then repeat the row once and invite the child to continue. The older the child, the more beads, their sizes change.
          3. "Opposites". The opposite game. For example, you say cold, and the child picks up hot; wet-dry; black and white and more.

            Learn more