If you want to set your child up for success, you need to instil in them the growth mindset since it is one of the most valuable attitudes that help children realise what they are truly capable of. A growth mindset for kids is extremely necessary because it keeps them naturally motivated to grow and also caters to brain development in children. Therefore, parents must help their kids right from the beginning, so they never think that they are not smart or capable enough. Read on for some great growth mindset activities that you can try with your child to keep them motivated to grow.

Negative to Positive

Growth mindset has a language that kids must learn to be able to steer the mental shift and put a positive spin on everything. It helps kids alter their internal voice and limit the negative thoughts that keep them from achieving new heights. Begin with writing down common negative statements, for example, “I am not smart enough to do that”. Next, show them how to turn these negative sentences into positive sentences. For example, “I am smart, and I can do that”. After this, encourage them to try a few sentences themselves. This will create a positive mindset in children and change the way they think about themselves.

Kindness Week

This is one of the greatest growth mindset ideas which helps children realise their self-worth and develop confidence. Instead of asking children to be kind for a day, challenge them to be kind for an entire week. Encourage them to perform little acts that would make people happy, such as helping a neighbour pick their groceries, giving somebody a compliment, helping you with setting the dinner table, etc. Ask your child to maintain a kindness journal in which they can write down all their acts of kindness well as the lessons or observations each day.

Self-Awareness Checklist

The growth mindset requires having a strong sense of self. This means that your child should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses so that they can work to see self-improvement. So, ask your child questions about them and encourage them to write down the answers. Here are a few questions you can get started with:

• What is your greatest strength?

• What is your weakness?

• When do you learn with ease?

• When are you most comfortable?

• When are you most stressed?

• What are the things you often need help with?

• When are you most comfortable asking for help?

• This will help your child reflect on their habits and attitude, which in turn, would help them work on themselves.

  Accomplishment Jar

  Sometimes children end up fixating on their flaws so much that they completely overlook all the wonderful things about themselves. So, remind them that they are amazing and capable of achieving big things. To do that, celebrate their achievements by creating an accomplishment jar – a very interesting growth mindset activity. Get a jar or a small fishbowl and put small pieces of paper in it with questions, such as ‘what did I accomplish today? How did it make me feel?’ Next to the jar, place a small box with blank pieces of paper where your child can write their answers. At the end of the week, open the box and read all the answers together. Praise your child and celebrate small moments to show them how much they have grown.

  Action Plan for Failure

  Failure is a part of life, and everyone experiences it at some point or the other. So, teach your child not to dwell in the past and prepare for the future. Encourage them to write down their strategy to bounce back and convert the failure into a learning opportunity. Help them create and achieve an action plan so that they know that failure is not the end of it all.

  Growth Mindset Books

  Children’s mindsets depend on what they consume. So, introduce them to some growth mindset books that would wire their brain in a way that they stay motivated to grow. Some of the great books you can begin with are:

• The Little Engine That Could (Ages 1-3)

• The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes (Ages 4-8)

• After the Fall (ages 4-12)

• The Wonderful Things You Will Be (Ages 4-12)

• Mistakes That Worked (Ages 8-12)

• Fish in a Tree (Ages 10-14)

• Strong is the New Pretty (Teens)

Growth Mindset Affirmations

• I give my best in whatever I do.

• I can do even better.

• I am capable of doing hard things.

• Challenges only make me stronger.

• I can learn new strategies.

• There is nothing I cannot do.

One of the best growth mindset activities is using affirmations that have the power to change people’s outlook towards life. Remind your child to use these affirmations every day: Have your kids say these affirmations at least twice a day, and they will start believing them. The growth mindset for kids can take some time to build. Stay patient and keep helping your child to overcome the challenges with a positive attitude. I hope this was helpful.