Foster Growth Mindset
Overview
Growth mindset is the belief that people can grow their intelligence and abilities (through effort, good strategies, and support from others). Educators can foster a growth mindset, an aspect of Learner Mindset, by providing feedback that recognizes the effort and normalizes mistakes and encourages learners to ask for help when needed. In addition, a growth mindset can be fostered by teaching learners that brains are malleable and that intellectual ability can be developed over time, and modeling the learning process which helps students become more resilient when they struggle. It is important to note that while students with learning disabilities benefit from a growth mindset, they may be more hesitant to take risks that support it due to feeling vulnerable about their learning struggles. Research has shown fostering a growth mindset is particularly effective in reducing the impact of Stereotype Threat on student performance, and can support emotional well-being. It is important to note that simply telling students about the concept of a growth mindset is unlikely to have an impact on its own: students need environments that provide opportunities to apply and benefit from their growth mindset.
- When educators provide feedback that focuses on a student's effort, strategies, and persistence, rather than their underlying ability, they can encourage a growth mindset. Examples of growth mindset feedback that emphasize the learning process include phrases like: “I noticed you kept trying different ways and didn't give up. You were very persistent! What were some of the things you tried that worked best?” or “I saw how carefully you were practicing your letters. I see you getting a little bit better each time you practice!”
Products that focus on the learning process and encourage mistakes convey the importance of a growth mindset. One way to do this is to provide open tasks that have more than one answer so students focus on processes and strategies, helping foster a learning-focused growth mindset. Encouraging learners to set individual goals also supports Motivation and Self-Regulation.
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
Watch how teachers and students from PS/IS 266 share ways they foster growth mindset by holding high expectations, normalizing error, using peer feedback, and prompt cards. They reflect on how by focusing on growth mindset practices over time they've seen an impact on students persistence, understanding of learning differences, stereotypes, and teachers own willingness to take academic risks.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
