As a parent and an educator, I have observed that the most important thing for your child's success is to help them embrace a growth mindset. This idea of a growth mindset is not a new concept. Our parents would have expounded the strength of a strong work ethic; to get up off the ground after a fall and 'get back on the horse'. In simple terms, a fixed mindset says 'I can't" and a growth mindset says "I am not able yet..., but with practice, the right resources and consistent effort over time, I will grow in those abilities". 

I observe that it can be easier to blame external causes or find solutions that are outside of the students' control. What if, instead we came alongside them in the problem and looked for a solution together. Would that not give them the message more that we believe they can accomplish it, with support?.

If you'd like to learn more about the power of applying a growth mindset, click here to read a previous blog post that explains this in more detail. Today, I am sharing 3 simple steps to help your child embrace a growth mindset over a fixed mindset.

Today, I am sharing 3 simple steps to help your child embrace a growth mindset over a fixed mindset.

1.Choose & embrace challenges instead of avoiding them

Help your child step into  challenges to embrace a learning journey

• Choose a more challenging subject - while taking an easy course can offset the pressure and help them get good grades, the challenge courses will require them to learn study habits that will increase their capacity for learning. Then they gain the confidence to take on more challenges that open up their opportunities.
• Encourage them if they wish to take on a complex project-with your support they will learn more in carrying through on their ideas-that you can help them right size to success.

2. See effort and failure as part of the journey rather than focusing on the failure or “mistake”  Celebrate effort

Remind your child that they are designed to grow and get better throughout life and mistakes are part of how we learn. 

• When your child brings a poor grade back from school help them go through the test or assignment and identify where they went wrong and  correct it.
• Create a list of how they can improve next time, (read questions twice, show all steps, highlight information given) then celebrate the learning they got in the process of correcting their mistakes..

3. Celebrate the success of other students

Be inspired by friends or classmates who have worked hard or have just created or learned something cool rather than feeling behind or worried.

• Have you ever viewed other’s success as a challenge or a threat to your child’s? Increased the pressure on your child by comparing them to others?
  
• Support your child in seeing and celebrating others successes and the effort another has put in to learn a skill. Build a culture in your home celebrating effort and learning.
  

How does that feel? Does it feel like a good start?

Think about how you have viewed your child’s education or responded in different situations like the ones outlined above, what are you going to do over the next month to adjust your style to encourage a growth mindset?

Choose one tip from above to move forward with your child today.