Encouraging a Growth Mindset for Kids
About halfway through the school year, kids may need some encouragement to keep working hard. Help them stick to a growth mindset: the idea that their intelligence is not fixed. Through hard work and perseverance, they can boost their smarts and sharpen their talents. This attitude could make the difference between a child saying “I’m not good at math” (fixed mindset) versus “I just need more practice” (growth mindset).
As Professor Carol Dweck points out, “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.”
Read about characters who stick to projects and go beyond expectations. These characters can help kids gain confidence and persevere, without sounding like a motivational classroom poster.
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires (Ages 3-7)
Going Places by Peter and Paul Reynolds (Ages 4-8)
What Do You Do With an Idea? (only available in print) by Kobi Yamada (Ages 4-8)
Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty (Ages 5-8)
Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty (Ages 5-8)
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty (Ages 5-8)
Sometimes “your little artist” doesn't feel confident in their abilities to create. The following books remind kids to practice, whether at art, music or sports, and proudly acknowledge life's little smudges.
The Artist who Painted a Blue Horse (only available in print) by Eric Carle (Ages 3-5)
The Art Lesson (only available in print) by Tomie dePaola (Ages 4-8)
Sky Color by Peter H. Reynolds (Ages 5-8)
Ish by Peter H. Reynolds (Ages 5-8)
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds (Ages 5-8)
Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin by Chieri Uegaki (Ages 4-8)
Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats (Ages 3-7)
Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn't Sit Still (only available in print) by Karlin Gray (Ages 6-9)
Look to amazing lives-lived, such as this book list about biographies that encourage the growth mindset. Research shows that teenagers who read about scientists who struggled in their life's work had a more positive connection to their own potential. They understood that even great discoverers faced challenges. The list also includes titles for younger audiences.
Together with books that nurture a love of the learning process in all its failure and messiness, we can'teach kids to love their fantastic, elastic brains.
Updated April 14, 2020.
3 thoughts on “Encouraging a Growth Mindset for Kids”
What about with adults?
Absolutely, Mary! You can start with Carol Dweck’s book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.” Another recommendation would be “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth. Both are available in multiple formats. The idea of growth mindset would have served me well as a youth and it informs the way I think about my progress as an adult.
And here is the link to Carol Dweck’s TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve Other related talks appear at the bottom.