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.
Students who have a growth mindset understand that through practice, trial and error, and putting forth effort, they can and will succeed . They possess an “I can do it” attitude and are willing to stick with a task until they are successful.
Characteristics of a Growth Mindset
- Believes intelligence and talents can be developed.
- Believes effort is the path to mastery.
- Believes mistakes are an essential part of learning.
- Views failure as an opportunity to learn.
- Believes failures are just temporary setbacks.
- Embraces challenges.
Students who struggle with mastery of skills benefit from support that guides them to a belief that skills are built and that you can learn and grow, and to a focus on the process of getting better through persistence and hard work. There is great value in reinforcing for these students that effort is useful, that we should embrace challenges, that mistakes are a learning opportunity, and that feedback is useful to learning.
5 Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset
- Be curious about everything.
- Look at failure as a learning opportunity.
- Be optimistic.
- Believe in yourself.
- Use the power of “yet”.
The language you use with students during tutoring can support your students’ ability to develop a growth mindset.
- Aim for progress
- Embrace challenges
- Grow your brain
- Try something
- Overcome obstacles
- Set goals
- Be resilient
- Put forth effort
- Keep trying
- Validate your progress
- Never give up
- Stick with it, be persistent
Additional Resources: What is Mindfulness?