The first few weeks of school have just begun. New teacher, new classmates, perhaps more difficult sums or longer texts. Some children dive into this full of confidence. Others become insecure at the first sign of a setback: "I can't do this" or "I'm just not good at this."
Recognizable? Many parents notice that the start of the school year, in particular, shows how their child handles challenges. And that is exactly the moment to work on something that is much more important in the long term than a good grade: a growth mindset.
What exactly is a growth mindset?
The term comes from psychologist Carol Dweck, who spent decades researching how children think about their own abilities. Her research shows a clear difference between two ways of thinking.
- A fixed mindset: you assume that intelligence and talent are more or less fixed. Mistakes then feel like proof that you are "not smart enough."
- A growth mindset: you assume that skills develop through practice, effort, and perseverance. Mistakes are then not proof of failure, but a normal step in the learning process.
Children with a growth mindset give up less easily on a difficult task, try new strategies more often, and are more willing to ask for help. Not because they are smarter, but because they look at mistakes differently.
Why the start of the school year is such a good moment
A new school year is full of new challenges: new subject matter, new expectations, perhaps a new class. Every challenge is an opportunity to practice perseverance. This is precisely why September is a good time to consciously work on a growth mindset, at home and at school.
How to encourage a growth mindset as a parent
A growth mindset does not happen by itself. Children learn it primarily from the reactions of the adults around them. The tips below are immediately applicable, even on a busy weekday evening.
1. Praise the process, not just the result
"How smart of you!" feels nice, but unintentionally confirms that intelligence is a fixed trait. Instead, try to name the effort:
- "You really persevered when it got difficult."
- "I saw that you tried it three different ways. That worked!"
- "You clearly practiced for this."
This small shift in language teaches children that progress is the result of effort, not innate talent.
2. Change how your child talks about mistakes
Making mistakes feels uncomfortable for many children. Help your child reframe mistakes by setting a good example yourself. Feel free to talk about a time you made a mistake yourself and what you learned from it.
A simple, reusable phrase that helps many families: "A mistake is not a problem, it is information." It sounds small, but repeating this message ensures that children gradually experience mistakes as less threatening.
3. Let your child get stuck, and then overcome it
It is tempting to help immediately as soon as your child gets stuck on homework or a puzzle. But the feeling of "this was difficult and yet I succeeded" is exactly what builds self-confidence.
Therefore, try asking "What have you already tried?" before providing the solution. This way, your child learns that getting stuck is part of the process and not the end of the story.
3. Build perseverance with small, achievable challenges
Perseverance grows through experience, not through conversation. Activities where a child has to figure something out themselves are particularly valuable for this. Think of:
- A building project that doesn't work out right away
- A game where you have to practice several times to win
- A construction that collapses before it stands
At Zappie, we see this with almost every box: children who build a Hydraulic Arm or Robot often encounter a moment where something is not quite right. A part is in the wrong place, a tube leaks, a gear doesn't turn smoothly. That moment is exactly where the learning happens. Children who persist and solve the problem feel a sense of pride afterward that you don't get from something that went right the first time.
4. Celebrate progress, not just perfection
At the end of the school day, don't just ask "How did it go?", but also: "What did you learn today that you couldn't do yesterday?" This question shifts the focus to growth instead of performance, and that is exactly what a growth mindset is all about.
What is better to avoid
- Avoid: "That's not for you" or "Math just isn't your thing."
- Avoid: intervening immediately as soon as your child gets frustrated.
- Avoid: only giving compliments for a good result.
These reactions are understandable, often intended to protect your child from disappointment. But they unintentionally teach children that failure is something to be avoided, rather than something to learn from.
Small habit, big difference
You don't develop a growth mindset in one conversation. It is a sum of small, daily moments: how you react to a failing grade, how you talk about a failed attempt, how you encourage your child to try again.
The start of the school year offers plenty of extra opportunities for this. Every new assignment, every unfamiliar task, and every moment of frustration is actually a small exercise in perseverance.
Are you looking for activities that let your child practice perseverance, making mistakes, and being proud of the end result through play? Discover how the Zappiebox contributes to this every month.
0 comments