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Developing a growth mindset helps children grow into resilient, motivated children. This concept, coined by Carol Dweck, is the belief that a person’s intelligence and abilities can be created through persistence and learning from mistakes.
At Heritage House Early Education Centres, our curriculum supports children in developing this mindset so they can embrace their failures and view challenges as educational opportunities.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of a growth mindset and how our early education program supports this learning concept.
A growth mindset was first introduced as a concept in 2006 by Carol Dweck, a Stanford University psychologist and professor. People with a growth mindset see challenges as moments for improvement and utilise perseverance during setbacks.
This contrasts with a fixed mindset, in which people view their abilities as static and unchangeable. It’s the belief that people either naturally have talent or they don’t.
They embrace challenges: Growth mindsets help children experiencing difficulties view them as opportunities to learn and improve, rather than as threats or insurmountable obstacles.
They require persistence: They encourage children to understand that demonstrating persistence is essential for overcoming obstacles.
They celebrate effort: Growth mindsets are informed by the view that talent is not enough for success, and that continuous effort and learning are vital for achieving your goals.
They help you learn from feedback: They encourage children to welcome feedback as constructive input, rather than criticism.
They champion others’ success: Children with a growth mindset are motivated by their peers’ successes rather than threatened by their achievements.
Heritage House educators work closely with children to help them understand that mistakes and failures are a natural part of the learning process. Children are more likely to overcome these issues if they view them as stepping stones for development.
Reframing mistakes as learning opportunities is vital for nurturing children’s holistic growth. When adults respond positively to children’s challenges, children can feel supported to show resilience and a willingness to take risks in the future.
We prioritise praising children for their effort and perseverance rather than their intelligence and talent. In discussions with children and their families, educators lift our young learners up by highlighting the strategies they’ve used to overcome challenges. This teaches children that dedication and hard work are more important qualities than having innate abilities.
By placing emphasis on children’s progress rather than the end result, we’re moving away from language associated with a fixed mindset and are reinforcing the value of growing resilience.
Our dedicated team of educators use every day as an opportunity to demonstrate a growth mindset in their own behaviour and attitude towards challenges. We share our own successes, failures and the lessons we’ve learned with our children. By normalising talking about the obstacles we face, children are encouraged to feel less afraid when approaching issues and taking risks.
By creating a supportive and nurturing environment for children, they are free to learn and develop without judgment. Having a safe space helps children take risks and make mistakes without viewing them as threatening, but as important learning opportunities. We encourage children to discuss the difficulties they face while overcoming these barriers. Our educators celebrate when children try new things, even if they don’t succeed at first.
Our holistic childcare philosophy allows children to thrive in a space that sparks curiosity and growth. By developing confidence and a deeper understanding of their interests, children can form a lifelong love of learning while in our care. This passion for learning helps children approach future schooling with a willingness to further develop their skills and overcome barriers along the way.
At Heritage House Early Education Centres, encouraging a growth mindset is embedded into our everyday learning. Our curriculum provides children with the foundational skills and support needed to approach future learning with a dedication to growth, to overcome challenges and to demonstrate resilience.
We surround children with experienced educators who serve as positive role models, embodying a growth mindset and emphasising the importance of continuous effort. The Heritage House curriculum also aligns with the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and encourages children to thrive by developing communication skills, self-confidence and a positive wellbeing.
To learn more about how we help build growth mindsets in early education, book a tour of your local centre or contact us today!