Growth Mindset Basics for Kids: A SEL Activity for Kids, Families and Classrooms
- Give N' Grow
- Feb 21
- 6 min read
Nurturing a Growth Mindset: Empowering Kids to Embrace Challenges with Confidence and Compassion
In today’s fast-paced world, kids face a variety of challenges, whether they are academic, personal, or emotional. One of the most valuable tools we can give children is the growth mindset—a powerful belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. Fostering this mindset helps children face difficulties with resilience and encourages them to see challenges as opportunities for growth. This blog will explore the basics of growth mindset, its importance for families, schools, and communities, and how an engaging Social Emotional Learning (SEL) activity can help instill these ideas in children.
What is Growth Mindset?
At its core, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence are not fixed traits but can be developed over time with effort, practice, and learning from mistakes. This is in contrast to a fixed mindset, where people believe their abilities are static and cannot change, which may cause them to give up when faced with challenges.
In the context of schools, families, and communities, growth mindset is crucial because it teaches children to embrace challenges and see failure not as a reflection of their worth but as a stepping stone to improvement. When kids understand that their efforts can lead to progress, they are more likely to persevere, help others, and remain positive when faced with obstacles.
Examples of a Growth Mindset in Action:
In the Classroom: A student may initially struggle with math but, by embracing a growth mindset, they see the subject as an area to improve. With consistent effort and support, they work through difficulties and gradually increase their understanding and skills.
At Home: A child might struggle with learning a new skill, such as riding a bike. Instead of saying “I can’t do it,” they adopt the mindset that “I can’t do it yet,” which encourages them to keep practicing until they succeed.
The Importance of Growth Mindset in Schools, Families, and Communities
At School: Research shows that students with a growth mindset are more likely to take on challenges, persist after setbacks, and perform better academically. They view mistakes as learning opportunities, which leads to increased motivation and success.
At Home: Parents who encourage a growth mindset help their children develop resilience, emotional intelligence, and a positive approach to problem-solving. When children hear “You can do it if you keep trying,” they are more likely to adopt a mindset of perseverance and optimism.
In Communities: Growth mindset fosters a sense of empathy and compassion, as children learn that everyone can grow and improve, regardless of their starting point. This understanding helps build supportive, resilient communities where individuals celebrate one another’s successes.
Scientific Research on the Benefits of Growth Mindset
Studies show that growth mindset has a significant impact on children’s academic and personal development. Here are some key findings:
In Schools: Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset has shown that students who embrace this mindset perform better academically, even in the face of challenges. In fact, students with a growth mindset have been found to take more initiative, seek out feedback, and put in more effort to improve their skills.
At Home: Parents who praise effort rather than innate ability contribute to their children’s development of a growth mindset. Research in the Journal of Educational Psychology has found that when children are encouraged to focus on their effort and perseverance, they develop greater resilience and self-esteem.
For Personal Growth: Embracing a growth mindset has been shown to enhance emotional resilience and personal development. People who believe in the power of effort are more likely to embrace challenges, recover from setbacks, and continue learning and growing throughout their lives.
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Growth Mindset Activity
This engaging SEL activity is designed to help children understand the basics of growth mindset and provide them with tools to embrace challenges. Let’s walk through each segment and explain how it can help reinforce the principles of growth mindset.
1. Simon Says - Growth Mindset Edition
Objective: To teach children how focusing on what we want—rather than what we don’t want—can reduce mistakes and improve outcomes.
Instructions:
Start with a classic round of Simon Says, where children follow instructions such as “Simon says touch your toes” or “Simon says jump up and down.”
In the second round, introduce Reverse Simon Says. For example, say, “Simon says stand up,” but the children have to sit down instead.
After the game, lead a discussion: “How many mistakes did we make during Reverse Simon Says? What can we learn from that about focusing on what we want in life?”
Benefit: This part of the activity helps children understand that focusing on the positive and thinking about what they want to achieve—rather than fearing failure—can help them be more successful. It also highlights that making mistakes is part of learning, and that shifting our focus can lead to better outcomes.
2. An Affirmation Breathing Exercise for Cultivating Growth Mindset
Objective: To help children center themselves and reinforce the idea that failure is part of growth.
Instructions:
Have children sit comfortably, close their eyes, and take a deep breath in.
As they breathe in, silently say, “I learn from failure.” As they breathe out, say, “I grow from challenges.”
Repeat this process a few times, allowing the children to calm their minds and reflect on the power of perseverance.
Benefit: This breathing technique helps children calm their minds while connecting with the idea that challenges are a natural part of growth. It provides them with a tool to stay focused and positive, especially in moments of stress or difficulty.
3. An Actionable Challenge for Growth Mindset
Objective: To give children an opportunity to reflect on a personal challenge and find ways to approach it with a growth mindset.
Instructions:
Ask children to think about a current challenge they’re facing—whether at school, at home, or with friends.
Have them write down how they can learn from this challenge and what small steps they can take to grow stronger.
Benefit: This exercise encourages self-reflection and empowers children to take ownership of their challenges. By breaking down challenges into manageable steps, children learn to approach obstacles with confidence and positivity.
Additional Ideas for Practicing Growth Mindset
Growth Mindset Journals: Encourage kids to keep a journal where they write about challenges they’ve faced, what they’ve learned, and how they’ve grown. This helps them develop a reflective practice that reinforces the power of effort.
Praise Effort, Not Just Results: In the classroom and at home, emphasize the importance of effort, persistence, and learning from mistakes. For example, instead of saying “You’re so smart,” say “I’m proud of the effort you put into this.”
Model a Growth Mindset: Parents, teachers, and caregivers can model a growth mindset by discussing their own challenges and how they are working through them. This helps children see that growth is a lifelong journey.
Create a “Growth Mindset Wall”: In the classroom or at home, set up a wall where children can post quotes, achievements, or stories about challenges they’ve overcome. This reinforces the idea that growth is something to be celebrated.
Encourage the “Power of Yet”: Teach kids the phrase, “I can’t do this yet,” to remind them that abilities can improve with practice and perseverance.
Conclusion
By fostering a growth mindset, we empower children to embrace challenges, learn from their mistakes, and develop resilience in the face of adversity. Through engaging activities like Simon Says and Growth Mindset Breathing, children can internalize these important lessons and build the skills needed to navigate life’s obstacles. Whether at school, at home, or in the community, cultivating a growth mindset leads to a culture of compassion, perseverance, and lifelong learning.