Mindset is Everything! The Benefits of Having a GROWTH mindset.

For the month of March, we are focusing on the topics of a Growth Mindset versus a Fixed Mindset as well as Stress and Worry. This past week, we discussed with the staff the difference between a Growth Mindset and a Fixed Mindset. If you are unsure, here is a breakdown between the mindsets.

Our attitudes, thoughts, and beliefs about something.

GROWTH MINDSET: The belief that we are capable of working hard to increase our potential and intelligence. We are never as smart as we can be.

Benefits of having a Growth Mindset: 

• Humble
• Learn from your mistakes
• Open to learning
• You believe you can become smarter
• Speaks positively to themselves
• Comfortable making mistakes

FIXED MINDSET: The belief that you are born with a certain amount of intelligence or potential and that’s it.

Drawbacks of having a Fixed Mindset:

• Arrogant
• You think you’re always right
• Show off
• Give up and get upset when you’re wrong
• Negative self-talk when things don’t go right
• Limits you from learning new things 

Here are the steps on how to teach a Growth Mindset to children.

• What is a growth mindset? What is a fixed mindset?
• Create a list of growth mindset statements/affirmations (see below)
• Add mindset discussions to your daily routine.
• Share your struggles together.
• Help connect feelings with the mindset.
• Learn something new.
• Use the power of “yet”
• Praise correctly
• Use positive reinforcement
• Reframe mistakes and failures
• Hit pause 

Lastly, here are some Growth Mindset Statements/Affirmations for anyone to use.  

1. Mistakes help me learn and grow.
2. I haven’t figured it out YET.
3. I am on the right track.
4. I can do hard things.
5. This might take time and effort.
6. I stick with things and don’t give up easily.
7. I strive for progress, not perfection.
8. I go after my dreams.
9. I cheer myself up when it gets hard.
10. I am a problem solver.
11. I try new things.
12. Learning is my superpower.
13. I am brave enough to try.
14. I grow my brain by learning new things.
15. I strive to do my best.

Be sure to come back next week as we continue to focus on the topics of Growth and Fixed Mindset, Stress, and Worry!!!