How to Help Your Child Develop a Growth Mindset

Teaching children that their abilities can improve through effort and practice is one of the most empowering lessons you can offer. When children understand that intelligence and skills aren’t fixed traits but can be strengthened over time, they approach learning with curiosity rather than fear. This transformative way of thinking helps young people bounce back from setbacks and embrace challenges as stepping stones to success.

For both parents and foster carers, taking this positive approach to learning creates lasting benefits that extend far beyond the classroom. Children who believe in their capacity to grow become more resilient, motivated, and willing to take on new experiences throughout their lives.

Understanding the Difference

Children with a fixed mindset think that they’re either “clever” or “not clever,” “good at maths” or “rubbish at sport.” On the other hand, those with a growth mindset understand that skills can be improved through effort and practice. They view challenges as opportunities to learn rather than threats to their self-worth.

This distinction is particularly crucial for children you are fostering in Nottingham, who may have experienced educational disruption or developed negative beliefs about their capabilities. A growth mindset can help rebuild their confidence and resilience.

Praise the Process, Not the Person

One of the most effective strategies is changing how you offer praise. Instead of saying “You’re so clever!” try “I can see how hard you worked on that problem.” This shifts focus from innate ability to effort and strategy. When children make mistakes, respond with curiosity rather than disappointment: “What did you learn from that?” or “What might you try differently next time?”

For foster carers working with children who may have received little positive reinforcement, this approach helps build self-worth based on effort rather than outcomes, creating a more stable foundation for confidence.

Embrace Challenges Together

Make challenges feel exciting rather than threatening. When your child encounters something difficult, celebrate it as a chance to grow their brain. Use language like “This looks tricky – perfect for learning!” or “Your brain is getting stronger by working through this.”

Share your own learning experiences and mistakes. Children need to see that struggle is normal and valuable, even for adults. This modelling is especially important for foster children who may need extra reassurance that making mistakes doesn’t lead to rejection or punishment.

Teach About Brain Plasticity

Help children understand that their brains are like muscles that grow stronger with exercise. Explain how learning creates new connections in the brain, making it more powerful. This scientific understanding helps children see intelligence as something they can actively develop rather than something fixed.

Simple analogies work well: “Your brain is like a garden – the more you water it with practice, the more it grows.”

Create a Learning Environment

Encourage curiosity and experimentation at home. Ask open-ended questions, explore topics together, and show genuine interest in your child’s thoughts and discoveries. Make “I don’t know yet” an acceptable and exciting phrase that signals the beginning of an adventure rather than a failure.

For foster carers, creating this environment may take time as children learn to trust that exploration and questions are welcomed and valued.

Developing a growth mindset isn’t about pushing children harder or having unrealistic expectations. It’s about helping them understand that their potential isn’t predetermined and that effort, strategy, and perseverance lead to growth. Whether you’re a parent or foster carer, your patient guidance and encouragement can help children develop the resilience and love of learning that will serve them throughout their lives.