Success and plenty. Prosperity. Intelligence. Gift. Ability. All of these could be outcomes of a growth mentality. Why is it crucial to encourage this mentality in kids? A growth mindset can foster a love of learning and make it easier to take on new tasks. Children that have a development mindset perform better than those who have a fixed perspective and are more capable of learning from mistakes (Schroder et al., 2017).
1. Be A Positive Role Model
As you are aware, toddlers pick up information easily from their surroundings and imitate others. So provide kids environments like the Japanese primary schools where the teachers serve as their role models, and at home, you may serve as their role model. They will be more willing to take on challenges if they can see that you are experimenting. Ensure that you are not acting, but rather improving yourself and taking action so that you can later assist others. Teach them that difficulties must be faced in order to gain knowledge from them.
2. Value Mistakes
Nobody has ever gained knowledge or experience without making mistakes. It’s inevitable that mistakes will be made, and learning from them is a necessary part of the process. Remind kids that making mistakes is just one of many milestones on the road to mastery. For kids who are learning the nature of “doing,” reflecting on both triumphs and failures can be instructive. Sometimes we do and sometimes we fail, but both are okay because each got us to where we are today.
3. Praise Effort Not Results
Parents must also be sure to modify the manner in which they compliment their kids. For instance, don’t let your youngster know if they solved a math problem successfully. “You answered every arithmetic question correctly. Is it a coincidence, or are you truly that smart?” Instead, say, “Wow, you answered all the arithmetic questions correctly; you studied assiduously and comprehended the idea. I value your labour of love. By having your child doubt their skills in the first scenario, you are encouraging them in the second scenario by praising their efforts.
4. Help Them Enjoy Challenges
Additionally, parents need to be careful about how they compliment their children. Don’t reveal to your child, for instance, whether they were successful in solving an arithmetic issue. “You successfully responded to each math question. Are you really that intelligent, or is it just a coincidence?” Instead, say something like, “Wow, you solved all the math questions properly; you studied well and understood the concept. I appreciate all your hard work. In the first situation, you are encouraging your child to doubt their abilities; in the second, you are encouraging them by complimenting their efforts.
5. Encourage Them To Use Positive Affirmations
Teach your youngster to avoid using negative affirmations like “I can’t do it,” “It’s too hard,” or “I don’t know how to do it” in place of more frequent usage of positive ones like “It’s easy and I can do it.” When your child feels like giving up, teach them to repeat positive affirmations to keep them motivated and confident. Teach them to approach the issue differently, challenge them to try fresh ideas, and reassure them that it’s acceptable if they fall short the first time if they persevere. Be their supporter and let them know they can accomplish goals and overcome obstacles.
6. Celebrate Growth With Others
If you really value development, you’ll want to tell others about it. This can aid in the development of a growth-oriented culture. Take note of the errors of others. Although it’s not always a good idea to compare yourself to others, it’s crucial to understand that everyone has flaws.
7. Give Them Opportunities To Explore Various Activities
Put them in schools that offer a variety of extracurricular activities that encourage exploration of different interests, awareness of strengths and limitations, and assistance in maximising potential or improving areas of weakness. In order to provide them the opportunity to try new things and learn, look for possibilities to enrol them in workshops, courses, weekend activities, etc. But don’t compel them to do anything; let them try, and if it doesn’t appeal to them, suggest they try something else.
8. Talk To Them
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Sit down with your child and explain why they always insist on having growth mindsets if they are old enough to understand what you are saying. Give them simple illustrations so they can understand. For eg:- Give them an illustration of a plant, showing how it develops from a tiny seed into a plant and then blooms. Tell them that they are seeds that must develop into plants and continue to grow in order to get the benefits (flowers) and succeed in life.
9. Try New Things Together
Try new things together because learning new things with you will be enjoyable for a youngster and will boost their self-confidence. They will learn that there is nothing wrong with attempting new things if they are aware that their parents do the same and gain experience from their mistakes. Instead, kids will learn to do it by observing you as you explore new things. Try diverse things, such as sampling various cuisines, learning to sketch, participating in various games or courses, and then share your experiences with others.
10. Help Them In The Preparation
If your child is lacking something, assisting them in their preparation may be the best approach to get over their obstacles. For instance, advise your child to take baby steps each day to achieve goals if they are afraid of public speaking or giving presentations. It will take away their concerns gradually.