Hey everyone, I’ve been trying to help my kids develop a growth mindset, but I’m not sure if I’m doing it right. I know positive reinforcement is important, but what are some effective ways to use it specifically for encouraging a growth mindset? Any tips or strategies that have worked well for you? Thanks in advance for any advice!
I’ve been experimenting with growth mindset stuff for my 5-year-old too. We started a ‘detective journal’ where we write down new things we learn each day. It’s simple, but it’s helping us both notice small achievements.
My kid loves it when we discover something together. Yesterday, we learned why leaves change color in fall. We drew pictures and talked about how cool it is to always be learning.
I’m curious about your experiences. Have you found any fun ways to make learning exciting for your kids? And how do you handle those moments when they get frustrated and want to give up?
In our house, we’ve found that turning everyday tasks into fun challenges works wonders. My kid loves beating the clock when cleaning their room or seeing how many items they can put away in a minute. We also have a ‘chore lottery’ where completing tasks earns tickets for a weekly prize draw. It’s not perfect, but it’s helped shift the mindset from ‘I have to do this’ to ‘I get to try for a reward.’ The best part is seeing my child’s pride when they overcome a tricky task or beat their personal best.
My kids use a ‘progress board’ in their rooms. They add stickers for trying new things or improving skills. It’s visual and motivating.
Had to adjust expectations though. Some weeks the board is full, others not so much. That’s okay too.
I learned that praising effort over results really helped my kids develop a growth mindset. When my daughter struggled with math, I’d say things like “I’m proud of how hard you’re working on this problem” instead of just focusing on her grade. It took time, but she started to see challenges as opportunities to learn rather than threats to her abilities.
For my son, we started a “challenge of the week” where he’d pick something new to try. Sometimes it was cooking a new recipe, other times learning a magic trick. The point was to celebrate his willingness to try, not just his success. We’d talk about what he learned from the experience, even if things didn’t turn out perfectly.
These approaches helped my kids become more resilient and willing to take on new challenges. It wasn’t always easy, but seeing their confidence grow made it worth the effort. 
In our family, we’ve found that celebrating small wins and effort has made a big difference. When my kids tackle something new, we focus on their progress, not just the end result.
For example, my daughter was struggling with reading. We started a sticker chart where she got a sticker for each new word she learned, not just for finishing books. She got so excited about collecting stickers that she wanted to learn more words.
With my son, we use a ‘challenge jar.’ He writes down things he wants to try, and we pick one each week. It could be anything from trying a new vegetable to learning a magic trick. We talk about what he learned, even if it didn’t go perfectly.
These little things have helped them feel more confident about trying new things. It’s amazing to see how much more willing they are to take on challenges now.