With the first week down and the second just begun in Queensland now is the time that we reflect on what values we want to instil in our students.

One of the best values that you could invest time and energy into is Growth Mindset.

Originally developed by Dr. Carol S Dweck an American physcologist in 2007, the concept of growth mindset has become the new it thing. 

Why is it so great?

Developing Growth mindset in students develops the idea for students that it is ok to fail and that through failure we learn and improve.

Too often in our digital age students expect instant gratification. They want the answer right then and if they can’t find it they give up.

Resilience or the ability for students to bounce back after failure is one of the key qualities that our students will need to secure the jobs of the future. Jobs that require innovation and creativity. Jobs that they will more than likely define.

Read more about Growth Mindset here.

My 5 Tips to introduce Growth Mindset in your classroom

1. Introduce the idea that failure is ok. That lots of people fail. In fact if you haven’t failed your lying. 🙂

• You might choose to do this through discussion, a short video (primary / secondary), research project etc.

2. Ban the word can’t unless it is followed by yet. 

• It is so easy to say that you can’t do something, but if you add yet onto the end it implies that you will try again.

3. Introduce strategies to encourage growth mindset.

• The 3 before me strategy encourages student to look for the answer themselves before asking the teacher.
• Download these exclusive posters by Educating the digital learner.

4. Talk with students about how their brain develops.

• There are some great videos out there.

5. Encourage student reflection to recognise the progress they have made even if its small and to plan for how they can continue to move forward. 

• My students blog each week with 2 things they have learnt and 2 things they still need to improve.
• Examples of feedback phrases: Questions and Feedback

Don’t forget to add reminders around your classroom to encourage students to learn with a Growth Mindset in mind. Below are some freebies that you could print and laminate. 🙂

• Growth Mindset Posters & Coloring Sheets FREEBIE

• Growth mindset posters

• Growth Mindset Posters

• Growth Mindset Poster

So many more on teachers pay teachers for free and other great ones that are paid.

Are you focusing on Growth Mindset this year? I would love to hear about your ideas to implement it. Please leave comments below or on our facebook page.