How to Encourage a Growth Mindset in Kids

25 June 2025

Hey there, superhero parent! 👋 Ready to raise a kid who sees challenges as opportunities and keeps going even when the going gets ugly? Of course, you are! That’s why you’re here, right? Because deep down, you know that teaching your mini-me to develop a growth mindset isn’t just a “nice idea” — it’s essential.

Let’s get real. Kids today are growing up in a world where they’re bombarded with messages about being perfect, winning the first time, and avoiding failure like it’s some contagious disease. But here's the truth no one’s shouting loud enough — failure freaking rocks. Yep, I said it! Failure teaches. It builds character. It paves the way for success.

So, let's roll up our sleeves and talk about how to encourage a growth mindset in kids — and not just any kids, your brilliant, curious, capable kids.

What Even Is a Growth Mindset?

Before we jump into the how, let’s break down the "what".

A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and learning. It’s the opposite of a fixed mindset, where people think, “I’m just not good at this,” or “I was born this way, and that’s that.”

In simple words? A growth mindset means your kiddo believes they can get smarter, stronger, and better if they actually try. Wild, huh? 😏

Why Does It Matter for Your Kid?

Let’s say your kid bombs a math test. With a fixed mindset, they might think, “I suck at math” and throw in the towel. But with a growth mindset? They’ll be like, “Okay, I didn’t do well this time. What can I do differently next time?”

Boom. That’s resilience. That’s grit. That’s the kind of mindset that leads to long-term success — not just in school but in life.

The Secret Sauce: Your Role as a Parent 🍝

So, guess who’s the number one influence in helping kids develop a growth mindset? Yep. You got it. YOU.

Your words, your reactions, the way you handle their mistakes — all of it sends a message.

Let’s explore some super-practical, sass-infused ways you can ignite that growth-mindset fire in your child.

1. Praise the Process, Not the Person

You’ve probably said it without thinking:
“You’re so smart!”
“You’re a natural at this!”

And while it sounds positive, it’s actually planting the seeds of a fixed mindset. Kids start tying their worth to outcomes or natural talent. So, when things get tough? They freeze.

Instead, try this:
- “Wow, you worked really hard on that project — and it shows!”
- “I love how you didn’t give up, even when it was frustrating.”
- “Your strategy here was really clever!”

You're praising the effort, the grit, the problem-solving — all the ingredients of a growth mindset stew!

2. Normalize Failure Like It’s No Biggie (Because It’s Not)

Let’s be honest — failure gets a REALLY bad rep. But if you want your child to grow into a confident, creative thinker, you have to help them see that failing isn’t the opposite of success — it’s part of it.

Tell them stories about times you FAILED spectacularly. (Go ahead and spill that embarrassing middle school talent show story.)

Then, ask:
- “What do you think you learned from this?”
- “What could you try differently next time?”

Flip the switch from “I failed” to “I’m learning.” That's growth mindset gold, baby.

3. Watch That Inner Voice – It’s Contagious

Ever notice how you talk to yourself when you mess up?

Say you’re trying to fix something, and it goes sideways:
“Oh my gosh, I’m so bad at this!”

Your kid’s watching. All. The. Time. 😳

Model the kind of self-talk you want them to adopt. Try:
- “Well, that didn’t work, but I’m figuring it out.”
- “Mistakes help me learn.”

Your voice becomes their inner voice. Make it a good one.

4. Celebrate Effort Like It’s Winning the Lottery

Kids aren’t born knowing that effort pays off — they learn it. And you can help by spotlighting it.

Create space where effort is the real MVP:
- Celebrate when they revise homework without being asked.
- Shout “YESSS!” when they keep practicing even after failing.
- Throw a mini dance party when they stick with something hard.

You’re reinforcing the idea that effort leads to growth. Plus, who doesn’t love a random dance party?

5. Use the Magical Word: “Yet”

This one’s tiny but mighty. Whenever your child says something like, “I can’t do this,” you sprinkle in the magic:

“You can’t do this… YET.”

That little word packs a punch because it reminds them that growth is possible. “Yet” turns a dead-end into a detour.

Try these:
- “You haven’t figured it out yet, but you will.”
- “Not yet doesn’t mean not ever.”

6. Give Your Kid Space to Struggle (Yep, On Purpose)

Let’s face it. Watching our kids struggle is the worst. We want to swoop in like a helicopter and fix it all.

But guess what? Struggle is where the growth happens. If you jump in too quickly, you’re robbing them of the chance to build problem-solving skills and resilience.

Instead of rescuing them, say:
- “I know this is tough, but I believe in you.”
- “Try a different approach and let me know what happens.”

Let them fumble. Let them feel the discomfort. That’s where the magic lives.

7. Create a “Mistake-Friendly” Home

Kids won't embrace growth if they fear making mistakes. So, create an environment where mistakes are not just tolerated — they’re celebrated.

Make a ritual of sharing “daily flops.” Go around the dinner table and laugh about something that went wrong. Then talk about what you learned from it.

It’s not about glorifying failure — it’s about removing the shame from it.

8. Read Growth Mindset Books Together📚

Books are sneaky teachers. Get your hands on some awesome growth-mindset picture books or middle-grade chapter books and read them with your kids.

Discuss the characters:
- How did they handle setbacks?
- What helped them grow?
- What would you have done?

Reading about fictional struggles normalizes the real ones.

9. Encourage Curiosity Over Correctness

We all want our kids to get the right answers, right? But sometimes, it’s better to focus on asking the right questions.

Instead of jumping in with corrections, try:
- “That’s an interesting idea. What made you think that?”
- “Let’s explore that and see what we find out.”

Curiosity leads to exploration. And guess what? Exploring is the heart of learning.

10. Be Patient — Change Takes Time

Listen, encouraging a growth mindset isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s more like training your child’s brain like a muscle. It takes repetition, effort, and a whole lot of grace — for both of you.

You’ll have days where your kid swears they “can’t” and throws in the towel. That’s okay. Keep planting those mindset seeds. They’re sinking in, even if it doesn’t look like it today.

Growth Mindset in Action: Real-Life Examples

Let’s make this real. Here’s what a growth mindset sounds like IRL:

- Fixed mindset: “I’m terrible at soccer.”
- Growth mindset: “I’m not great at soccer… yet. But I’ll keep practicing.”

- Fixed mindset: “I hate when I mess up.”
- Growth mindset: “Mistakes help me learn what to do better.”

- Fixed mindset: “I’ll never be good at this.”
- Growth mindset: “This is hard, but I can get better.”

You feel the shift, right? It’s subtle but powerful.

Final Thoughts: Mindset Is Everything

So, let’s circle back. Encouraging a growth mindset in kids is NOT about sugarcoating life or pretending failure doesn’t sting. It’s about teaching them to bounce back, dig deep, and trust the process.

You’re not just raising a student, an athlete, or a future adult — you’re raising a thinker, a problem-solver, a go-getter. And that, my friend, is world-changing stuff.

So stay sass-tastic, keep hyping your kid’s effort, and remember: Every “oops” is a step toward “I got this!”

And hey — give yourself some credit, too. Growth mindset parenting? You’re already nailing it.