When you exercise a muscle, it grows. When you exercise the brain, it grows too - and you learn more! There is no limit to how much you can learn. Teaching this concept to children at an early age will offer them much in terms of resilience and a “Let’s do it” attitude.

We all know life can be challenging, but instead of your children fearing those challenges and saying things like, “It’s too hard” or “I can’t do it”, we want them to rather seek out the opportunity in the challenge. Growth Mindset kids should say, “I can’t do it yet, but I’ll figure it out” or “Yes, I will try!”.

Encourage your children to let you know if there is something new, they would like to try, then help them go for it. By nurturing their inquisitive minds, you will help them gain confidence and many new skills.

While we have a Growth Mindset covered at school, we want to help you nurture the same at home and in your family activities. Below are some ‘Not This, Rather That’ comments you want your children to be able to say and some Growth Mindset activities to try at home.

‘Not this, Rather That’ Comments:

Not: I’m not good at this

Rather: How can I improve?

Not: I give up

Rather: Let me try a different way?

Not: I failed

Rather: Mistakes are part of learning!

Not: I’m not good at this

Rather: How can I improve?

Not: She is smarter than me

Rather: How can I improve?

Not: I’ll stick to what I know

Rather: I like a challenge!

Growth Mindset activities to try at home

1. The New Challenge

To encourage your child not to shy-away from things that scare them, introduce a monthly New Challenge into your family activities. Pick an activity that your child finds hard to do. For example, if they fear horses, then take them on a horse grooming session where a stable hand can help them get closer to, and learn more about, horses. Or, if they are struggling in maths then introduce the family ‘Mathletics’ game. Maybe 10 maths questions in 10 minutes. There is no failing – only winning when they try!

2. GM (Growth Mindset) Movie Night

Movies can really help children to develop a Growth Mindset – especially stories where a character has overcome severe challenges. Once you have watched a movie like this, discuss the characters with your children and what they would have done in that same situation. Great movies to watch for Growth Mindset development are:

·    Forest Gump

·    Brave

·    Finding Nemo

·    The Pursuit of Happiness

·    Moana

3. The Interview

Get your children to interview people in their lives that are NOT family, about their challenges, their hopes and their day-to-day lives. This person could be a teacher, a coach, the family helper, the security guard at your complex. Get them to ask questions such as:

1. What do you love most about your life?
2. What is a serious challenge for you?
3. How do you overcome your challenges?
4. What are your hopes for the future?
5. How do you plan to achieve these?

4. Fold an Origami Animal

To begin, ask your child to fold an origami animal with no instructions at all. When they are about to explode with frustration, talk to them about how they feel. Then give them some instructions to learn how to do it. Then ask your child to fold their animal again, after having the information in their brains. The importance of learning! Kids will learn that sometimes it’s hard but try, then learn how and do it again.

In regard to Growth Mindset development, We got you guys on the school front at Elkanah House. Use the tips above and good luck for nurturing Growth Mindset on the home front.