Cultivating a Growth Mindset
"You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them." - Michael Jordan
Who remembers the Staples back to school commercial with “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” playing and the dad is dancing through the store loading a shopping cart with school supplies? When he took the pencils and dropped them in the cart like a chef adding spices to a dish… I laughed so hard the first time I saw that commercial! Having 4 children in school, I identified with it so much! Even today, though I homeschool some grands, it still brings a chuckle to my lips.
With each consecutive year, I began to learn the importance of setting the stage for a success. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some of the lessons I’ve learned - creating healthy habits, the power of communication, and creating an environment for learning.
This week we’re diving into the growth mindset. What it is and how we can help our kids develop that mentality.
WHAT IS A GROWTH MINDSET?
Not to be confused with a fixed mindset…this is as good as I’ll ever be…growth mindset was first coined by Carol Dweck, a professor of Psychology at Stanford University. She describes growth mindset as an “individual who believes their talents can be developed through hard work, good strategies, and help from others.
HOW DO I HELP BUILD THAT MINDSET?
As parents, we play a major role in nurturing our children’s mindset. We’re laying the groundwork for their academic and personal growth. We want them to believe that their intelligence and abilities can blossom through effort, learning, and resilience. So, what does building a growth mindset look like for our students?
First, consider the child’s original mindset. Does the child have a limiting belief? How often do you hear comments like: “I wasn’t born with the talent/ability to do xyz,” or “I’m not good at (pick the subject)”. I’ve heard my fair share over the years. I’ve even said plenty of limiting comments to myself. Being aware of how we speak to and about ourselves is always the first step to improving our mindset.
Next, help the child to rephrase the thought, to see it from a positive perspective. “Boy, I couldn’t have done that a year ago. Look how far I’ve come,” or “Wow, by doing that extra studying, I aced the test.” Eventually this will start to become a natural habit.
Another way to help enforce the growth mindset is to have the child think about things they’ve already accomplished…learning how to ride a bike, writing cursive, memorizing the multiplication tables. Remind them of things they have accomplished.
Rather than focusing solely on outcomes, we should celebrate their efforts and strategies. If done with kind intention, feedback is a great tool. Providing positive reinforcement for their achievements, big or small, reinforces the idea that hard work and dedication lead to progress.
The power of YET. I wish I had learned this a long time ago. Teach them to embrace the power of “yet.” There is still plenty of opportunity to grow in whatever area they are struggling with. At the beginning of each school year, there are plenty of concepts and skills a student hasn’t learned…yet. Help them to realize, with practice and perseverance, this skill will grow. Growth mindset is realizing you’re not done growing…yet.
For older students, look for people that are already where they want to be. Read books on those who inspire them. Look at how they approached the challenges in their life and how they overcame them. What can be learned from their struggles to help apply to your child’s goals and dreams?
Mistakes should be viewed as valuable learning experiences, not as failures. As parents, we need to encourage them to think critically and come up with solutions on their own. We empower them to develop problem-solving skills and self-confidence. Mistakes are NOT failures, they are lessons. You FAIL when you make the MISTAKE to not try again.
Break bigger goals into smaller attainable ones. You’ve heard the saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Breaking down a bigger goal into smaller bite size goals helps create the positive mindset that your student CAN accomplish something huge.
To be completely transparent, we use essential oils in our house to help with mindset. Diffusing is a great way to create an environment that nurtures a growth mindset. When my granddaughter is struggling to remember that she’s not there YET, I have her grab one of these oils to help refocus:
Rosemary: Boosts focus and memory! Rosemary essential oil can enhance cognitive function, helping you stay sharp and attentive during study sessions or while working on your goals.
Lemon: Stay motivated and uplifted! Lemon essential oil is known for its mood-boosting properties, promoting a positive and optimistic outlook on life, even when faced with challenges.
Ylang-Ylang: Embrace self-love and confidence! Ylang-ylang essential oil can help you develop a strong sense of self-worth and empower you to believe in your abilities.
Wild Orange: Foster creativity and inspiration! Sweet orange essential oil can spark your imagination and encourage innovative thinking, helping you find unique solutions to challenges.
Frankincense: Cultivate mindfulness and reflection! Frankincense essential oil promotes a sense of inner peace, making it a perfect companion for self-reflection and personal growth.
Lavender: Manage stress and promote resilience! Lavender essential oil is a soothing companion during tough times, encouraging a calm and collected response to setbacks.
Peppermint: Enhance mental clarity and alertness! Peppermint essential oil can clear the mind, making it easier to absorb new knowledge and approach tasks with a fresh perspective.
Remember, developing a growth mindset is all about believing in the potential to learn and grow. With the support of essential oils, they’ll be better equipped to face challenges, embrace setbacks as learning opportunities, and achieve our dreams!
Now, back to that commercial with the song, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” It truly can be a magical time of the year for our children. It’s the start of something fresh and new. A new opportunity to create and learn and grow. We want our kids to be excited and feel empowered as they embark on this new year. This whole month is dedicated to helping parents help students start the new school year off on the right track.
