As educators, we understand the importance of guiding our students toward success, not just academically but in life. Cathy Tooley, CEO of Tools for Success, recently shared an insightful tip on fostering a growth mindset in students: encourage choices that promote learning from mistakes. (Check out Tools for Success YouTube video on Creating Growth Mindsets in Your Student here.) Instead of focusing on what students can’t do, offer them choices about what they could do, allowing them to decide what leads to success. This simple shift in approach can help students learn to think from a place of abundance rather than scarcity.
Why is a Growth Mindset Important?
A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort, strategies, and help from others. Research by Carol Dweck and others has shown that students with a growth mindset are more likely to embrace challenges, persist through difficulties, and achieve higher academic success. For example, a study found that students who were taught growth mindset principles were more likely to take on challenging tasks and see them as opportunities to learn, leading to better academic outcomes. (American University)
Additional Tips for Fostering a Growth Mindset:
- Normalize Struggle and Effort: Teach students that struggle is a natural part of the learning process. Emphasize that challenges are opportunities to grow and improve, rather than signs of failure. By reinforcing this idea, you help students build resilience and a willingness to tackle difficult tasks.
- Praise Effort, Not Intelligence: Shift your feedback to focus on the effort and strategies students use, rather than innate talent. For instance, instead of saying, “You’re so smart,” try “I’m impressed by the effort you put into this project.” This approach encourages students to view intelligence as something that can grow with hard work and persistence.
- Use the Power of ‘Yet’: Incorporate the word “yet” into your feedback to reinforce the idea that abilities can develop over time. For example, if a student says, “I’m not good at math,” you can respond, “You’re not good at math yet, but with practice, you can improve.”
- Encourage Reflection and Goal-Setting: Have students reflect on their learning experiences and set specific, achievable goals. This helps them understand their progress and identify areas for improvement, fostering a proactive attitude towards learning.
- Model a Growth Mindset: Demonstrate your own growth mindset by sharing your learning experiences and how you overcome challenges. This not only sets a positive example but also creates a safe environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and learning from their mistakes.
Research supports that cultivating a growth mindset in the classroom leads to higher student motivation and academic success. Numerous studies have shown that students who engaged in growth mindset activities were more likely to have higher GPAs and enroll in more challenging courses
What strategies do you use to foster a growth mindset in your classroom? Share your insights in the comments below. Let’s learn and grow together to make a positive impact on our students’ educational journeys!