How to Encourage a Growth Mindset in Kids

Gowher Bhat

It starts with a broken toy. Or a tough math problem. Or a child sitting quietly after losing a race.

These ordinary moments, seemingly insignificant, are where the seeds of a child’s mindset are sown. Not with charts, lectures, or motivational posters—but in the way we respond when things don’t go their way. How we react, what we say, and the patience we show in these small moments can shape a child’s approach to learning, failure, and growth for years to come.

Across the globe, research shows the power of mindset. Dr. Carol Dweck, a Stanford psychologist, pioneered studies showing that children praised for effort rather than innate intelligence are more likely to embrace challenges, persist through setbacks, and ultimately perform better academically and socially. In the United States, a study published by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that students with a growth mindset were 34% more likely to improve their grades over the course of a school year than peers praised solely for intelligence. Similarly, in India, research from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) indicates that classrooms emphasizing effort, perseverance, and self-reflection see higher engagement and sustained learning outcomes, even among students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Words We Use Matter

Consider a young girl who once showed me a drawing she had made. It was messy, lines sprawling across the page, but her eyes shone with pride.

“What do you think?” she asked.

I paused, then said, “Looks like you worked hard on that.”

She smiled. “Yeah. I kept trying until I got it right.”

That moment exemplifies a growth mindset—the understanding that improvement comes through effort, persistence, and learning from mistakes. Instead of telling children, “You’re so smart,” praising their hard work—“I can see how much you practiced”—teaches them that success is earned, not innate.

Data supports this approach. The National Institute of Educational Policy (India) reports that children praised for effort are 30% more likely to attempt challenging tasks and show resilience when they initially fail. In the U.S., a 2021 study by the University of Michigan found similar results: students who were encouraged to focus on learning strategies rather than talent were more likely to continue pursuing difficult subjects like mathematics and science, even after repeated setbacks.

Failure Is Not the Enemy

Failure is often framed as something to avoid. But when children see it as the end, they develop a fear of trying at all. In reality, failure is a stepping stone.

“You fell? Get up. You didn’t pass? Try again. You made a mistake? Learn from it,” becomes the mantra. Let children experience errors, experiment with unconventional solutions, and even laugh at their missteps. These moments cultivate resilience—a skill that, according to the APA, is critical for emotional well-being and academic success.

In India, a 2023 survey conducted across five states showed that students exposed to experiential learning programs—where trial, error, and iteration were encouraged—scored 20% higher in problem-solving tests than peers in traditional rote-based classrooms. These findings echo global evidence: embracing failure and persistence leads to deeper learning.

Honesty About Struggles

Adults often hide their failures, creating an illusion that they’ve always had it figured out. But children see through pretense. Sharing your own struggles—flunking a test, feeling nervous at a job interview, or making repeated mistakes—makes growth tangible.

When children witness adults learning, struggling, and ultimately improving, they internalize the lesson that learning never stops. According to NCERT, students whose parents modeled persistence and honesty about mistakes showed higher self-efficacy and motivation, demonstrating that mindset is influenced not only by educators but by caregivers at home.

Cultivating Curiosity

Children are naturally curious. They ask endless questions: Why is the sky blue? Why do ants eat what they eat? Why do people cry? This curiosity, however, must be nurtured.

Adults can model curiosity by responding: “I don’t know, but let’s find out,” or “I’ve never tried that before, but it might be fun.” By encouraging exploration and investigation, we teach children that uncertainty is not a barrier—it’s an invitation to learn. Research from the APA highlights that curiosity-driven learning fosters higher creativity, problem-solving skills, and academic engagement, a finding mirrored in Indian studies emphasizing experiential and inquiry-based learning in classrooms.

Celebrate the Process, Not Just the Result

Society often rewards outcomes: the gold medal, the A+, the championship. But children must also learn to value the effort, practice, and persistence that lead to those results.

Acknowledging effort—“You kept at it even when it got hard”—reinforces the link between perseverance and achievement. According to the University of California, Berkeley, students who received praise for effort rather than intelligence demonstrated greater intrinsic motivation, resulting in improved performance and long-term learning benefits. Similarly, in India, programs like NIPUN Bharat emphasize foundational skills, iterative learning, and consistent practice, showing tangible gains in literacy and numeracy across primary school children.

Don’t Rescue Too Quickly

Often, adults intervene too soon: tying shoes, completing puzzles, or solving a problem for a child. While well-intentioned, this can hinder growth. Children gain confidence not from being saved but from figuring things out themselves.

Let them struggle, fail, and eventually succeed. This builds problem-solving skills, resilience, and a sense of agency—qualities crucial for academic and life success.

The Power of “Yet”

A simple word can transform a mindset. “I can’t do this… yet.”

Adding “yet” turns a full stop into a pause, a comma, a continuation. Ability is not fixed; it grows with effort, time, and practice. Studies from Stanford University and NCERT confirm that children who internalize this concept show higher perseverance, reduced anxiety, and better learning outcomes.

Goal Setting and Achievement

Growth thrives with direction. Help children set achievable goals—small ones like finishing a book, or learning to ride a bike, and larger ones such as preparing for a science project.

Celebrate progress and encourage reflection. Ask, “What’s your next challenge?” rather than stopping at achievement. Goal-setting fosters planning skills, persistence, and self-regulation, all linked to academic success and well-being.

Teaching Others

One of the most effective ways for children to internalize learning is to teach it. Explaining a math problem, describing the rules of a game, or guiding someone through a project reinforces knowledge and builds confidence, communication skills, and mastery.

Be the Example

Children do not require perfect adults; they need honest, learning-oriented role models. Admit mistakes. Demonstrate curiosity. Try new things. Persist despite failure. Let them see adults grow. This modeling is one of the most effective ways to instill a growth mindset.

In India, surveys of parental influence show that children whose parents actively model problem-solving and learning behaviors are 25–30% more likely to engage with challenges positively. Similar trends appear in U.S. studies, emphasizing that children learn as much from what adults do as from what they say.

Conclusion

Fostering a growth mindset in children is not a strategy limited to schools; it begins at home, in everyday moments, and in the language we use. Whether it’s praising effort over talent, embracing failure as a learning step, or demonstrating curiosity and perseverance, adults have the power to shape resilient, motivated, and confident learners.

Research from both India and the United States underscores the importance of these practices: children who internalize growth-oriented thinking perform better academically, persist through challenges, and develop emotional and social resilience. In a world that often prizes instant results, teaching children that growth is a journey—not a destination—is more critical than ever.

By fostering curiosity, celebrating effort, and modeling lifelong learning, we can raise children who are not only academically capable but also resilient, confident, and prepared to navigate the complexities of life. Growth is not a gift reserved for a few; it is a mindset nurtured in small moments, everyday choices, and consistent encouragement.

( Gowher Bhat is a published author, freelance journalist, book reviewer, and educator from Kashmir.)