Let's put it into context
Being a tired parent (and aren't we all?) can sometimes feel like running a marathon in a heatwave while juggling flaming batons.
Now, are you throwing in the towel on this whole parenting malarky? Or do you keep at it, aware that you don't have all the answers yet but are willing to try your best? If your answer was the second one, you're already using your Growth Mindset.
If the idea is new to you, on this page you’ll find a more detailed explanation of what Growth Mindset is, why it’s so important, and perhaps a few other questions you might have along the way. If you want to know more, get in touch. I live and breathe Growth Mindset, and I’m always happy to talk about it!
Growth Mindset is the idea that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, perseverance, and learning from mistakes. In practical terms, it means teaching children to embrace challenges, see failures as opportunities for growth, and understand that with dedication and practice, their abilities can improve over time. Growth Mindset fosters resilience, encourages a love for learning, and empowers children to take on new challenges with confidence.
Growth Mindset is the result of years of research done by Dr. Carol Dweck, an American psychologist who worked at Harvard and Columbia before becoming a professor at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Through her research on pupils' responses to failure, Dweck formulated the concept of growth mindset. She realised that some pupils bounced back from setbacks while others seemed defeated. This led her to explore the role of beliefs about intelligence in shaping behaviour and achievement.
Embracing a growth mindset is particularly helpful for children with special educational needs (SEN) because it:
Emphasizes effort and progress over ‘natural ability’.
Reduces fear of failure by seeing mistakes as opportunities for learning.
Encourages self-advocacy by empowering children to seek support and persist through challenges.
Strengthens resilience by encouraging children’s belief in their ability to overcome obstacles.
Creates a positive outlook
Growth mindset is just as important for high-achieving children because it:
It encourages continuous improvement and striving for higher goals.
It fosters a hunger for learning and embracing challenges.
It teaches resilience in the face of setbacks or obstacles.
It shifts focus from fixed intelligence to ongoing development.
And it cultivates a lifelong love for learning and self-improvement.
School expectations have long been dauntingly high, and they are getting higher all the time. Social media brings a whole new element that we parents didn’t have to contend with when we were young. As parents, there are limits to what we can change at our children’s schools or social groups. What we can change is how we teach our children to navigate what life is going to throw at them. This is where Growth Mindset becomes so useful. It helps children cope with the pressures from school and society.
The opposite of Growth Mindset thinking is Fixed Mindset thinking - being stuck in the idea that abilities and talents are set in stone. Fixed Mindset thinking is more likely to result in tears and battles over homework as children feel hopeless, low in confidence, and desperate to avoid the things that make them feel bad about themselves.
As parents you are much more likely to end up paying tutors or therapists to help your children with their learning or self-esteem, as these are massively impacted by fixed mindset thinking.
Ten years ago, Growth Mindset was being embraced by schools and the results had a huge impact. More recently it has mostly dropped from the school agenda - teachers have so much they are trying to cram into each day and not enough time. But as the pressure of expectations on learning becomes higher for pupils, Growth Mindset thinking is crucial for building the resilience they need to cope and thrive.
Here at Noisy Book Club we want to teach you parents the simple tools and techniques you can use to help your child develop their Growth Mindset. We know how to do it and we want to share it. Sign up for the newsletter and follow us on Instagram for free tips and advice. Get in touch if you would like to find out about more personalised work with Becca or to find out what courses and workshops we have coming up.