What is a growth mindset and 7 ways parents can encourage children towards it

A growth mindset is the concept that traits such as intelligence, abilities, and talents are not fixed but can be achieved over time with lots of practice and efforts.This is a concept introduced by psychologist Carol Dweck. It is very important in shaping how children responds to different challenges, setbacks, and success.

Growth mindset is a concept contrary to a fixed mindset concept, which assumes that people are either born good or bad at something. It always encourages that improvement is always possible. This mindset should be inhibited in children from a very early age by parents that will help them improve their academic performance, emotional resilience, and confidence in all areas of life. Here are the seven ways that can be adopted by parents to develop growth mindset concept in their children’s life.

One of the most effective ways to develop growth mindset is by making the centre of point the praise or appreciation on efforts rather than on what is the outcomes. When child solves any problem or completes a task praise how hard they worked, the strategy used, instead of telling them that they are smart or talented which will help teach them that success comes from practice and persistence not because of any innate ability.

Make the children learn that making mistake is not something to fear about but plays an important part in learning. When the elders or the parents respond patiently and supportively to mistakes, children feel safe to take risks and explore. Guide them through the mistakes instead of expressing any disappointment. This reduces anxiety and builds problem-solving skills and resilience. Make them believe mistakes are tools for powerful teaching.

Try to foster a sense of curiosity in child which will strengthen their natural desire to learn. Instead of focusing solely on right answer, encourage them to ask question as much as they can, explore various ideas, and be very critical of everything around. Indulge with them to explore new things as it helps children feel more comfortable experimenting and learning through new experiences which is a main element of the growth mindset.

Children learn by observing the elders or adults around them. When parents or elders adopts growth mindset in their lives, children are more likely to achieve it. Share the challenges you faced in your life and how to overcome them. This will make them realise how their parents have also evolved through the time, and shows the child that growth is a lifelong process.

Offer your child to face the challenges without stepping to help them immediately until it is needed so much. It helps to build both resilience and confidence. Give them tasks which are above and beyond their current ability. Guide them with encouragement but don’t give them solutions. When they succeed after putting lots of efforts, they will experience the reward of the hard work they put in.

Teach your child to value progress which goes through a process over perfection. This helps to reduce the fear of failure. Instead asking “Did you win?”, try to ask “What did you learn?”. It allows them to focus on growth and learning. When children enjoys the journey instead of the result, they become confident and willing to take challenges.

The children should see how far they have came to stay motivated. Celebrate small victories and moments when they showed perseverance. Recognizing the progress of children makes them see that the change is happening, even slow but happening in a right direction and encourages them to push themselves forward.