{"id":5974,"date":"2019-12-28T16:24:40","date_gmt":"2019-12-28T20:24:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=5974"},"modified":"2022-03-18T15:33:22","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T19:33:22","slug":"growth-mindset-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/growth-mindset-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Growth Mindset for Kids: Parenting the Right Way"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Although you may not be conscious of them, you have powerful beliefs that affect what you want and whether you get it. In Mindset<\/em>, psychologist and researcher Carol S. Dweck argues that one belief in particular can determine the course of much of your life<\/strong>, starting as early as your preschool years. It’s important that parents and teachers prioritize a growth mindset<\/a> for kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ll cover the characteristics of a growth mindset for kids, why it’s important, and how to cultivate it in this complete guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Importance of a Growth Mindset for Kids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n


You learn one of two mindsets<\/a> from your parents, teachers, and coaches  \u2014 that personal qualities such as intelligence and ability are innate and unchangeable (a \u201cfixed\u201d mindset) or that you and others can change and grow (a \u201cgrowth\u201d mindset)<\/strong>. Regardless of which view dominates your thinking, it shapes your personality and helps or hinders you from reaching your potential<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Achievement in School<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Achievement in school starts with mindset.<\/strong> This is one reason why a growth mindset for kids is so important. Researchers measured students\u2019 mindsets as they transitioned to junior high school, which is a particularly challenging time for adolescents, then followed them for two years. 
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The students started out with similar grades but after the transition with its new challenges, the grades of fixed-mindset students declined, while those of growth-oriented students improved. 
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The fixed-mindset students tried to rationalize their poor grades with explanations such as \u201cI\u2019m no good at math\u201d or they blamed the teacher. They viewed the change to junior high as threatening because it could expose them as failures. They protected themselves from failure by not trying (the low-effort syndrome<\/a>)<\/strong>, as the young Juilliard violinist did by not taking her violin to class. 
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In contrast, the growth-minded students faced the tougher environment by doubling down and working harder. They welcomed the opportunity to learn what they like and might achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Labeling<\/strong> and the Growth Mindset for Kids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While labeling<\/a> people negatively according to their perceived potential is often inaccurate and can hinder their development, positive labeling<\/a> and praise can also be detrimental<\/strong> to the growth mindset<\/a> of children.
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Parents and teachers typically try to build children\u2019s self-confidence by praising their ability, but this can be harmful. Praising their ability sends the message that adults value ability and can determine a child\u2019s ability from his or her performance<\/strong>. This is a fixed mindset<\/a>. Here\u2019s how it plays out.
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Researchers gave early adolescent students ten problems to solve, then praised their performance in two different ways: some students were praised for their ability (\u201cYou must be smart at this\u201d), while another group was praised for their effort (\u201cIt looks like you worked really hard\u201d).
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Praising students for their ability pushed them into a fixed mindset. <\/strong>When offered another difficult task that they could learn from, they rejected it, not wanting to show any cracks in their talent by failing. However, the students who were praised for effort (a growth-minded approach) wanted to take on the new challenge.
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Researchers then gave all the students new problems, on which they didn\u2019t do well. The children praised for ability began feeling like failures \u2014 they\u2019d been told that their earlier success meant they were smart so now they felt stupid. Their performance steadily declined. In contrast, the students who were praised for effort tried harder and their performance continued to improve. 
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What\u2019s more, when asked to write a report on the experience, almost 40 percent of the children praised for their ability lied about their performance. Telling children they were smart hurt their performance and turned them into liars<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Develop a <\/strong>Growth Mindset for Kids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Parents want to help their kids to succeed in school and life, yet their comments, actions and attempts to be helpful often send the wrong message<\/strong>. This doesn’t encourage a growth mindset for kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Words and actions from adults tell young children, students, and athletes what to think about themselves. They can convey a fixed-mindset message that children\u2019s traits are permanent and they\u2019ll be judged for them. Or they can convey a growth-oriented message that children (and all people) are continually developing and adults are committed to helping them in this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children are extremely sensitive to these messages. They\u2019re concerned about how they\u2019re being tested\/judged and what will happen if they fall short.<\/strong>
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Kids Hear Messages Constantly<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Children with fixed mindsets hear judgment from their parents<\/strong> \u2014 it feels as though their abilities are always being measured. This is why it’s important to cultivate a growth mindset for kids.
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To understand children\u2019s thinking, researchers asked them several questions. Here are the responses from both the fixed-minded and growth-oriented kids. 
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Question #1<\/strong>: Imagine that your parents are happy when you get a good grade. Why would they be happy? <\/p>\n\n\n\n