4 Fun Growth Mindset Activities For Kids
When starting school, there is so much for your kids to learn, it can seem overwhelming. However, by encouraging a growth mindset, you’re teaching them their most valuable lesson.
This attitude shows them to rise above limitation, learn from failure, overcome difficulty and realise their potential. Here are four fun activities to help instil a growth mindset in kids.
1. Changing “I can’t” to “How can I?”
This activity is a fantastic way to encourage a growth mindset, by changing their “mental voice”. Ask your child to write down some negative statements, such as: “I can’t do this”, or “I’m not smart enough”. Then, show them how to change these into positive statements by changing their internal dialogue. This exercise will show them the connection between how they speak and how they feel.
2. How can I help?
Part of developing a positive growth mindset is encouraging kids to think outside themselves. You can do this by helping your child discover a talent, interest or idea they can use to help others. In pairs or small groups, ask your children to brainstorm ideas to help their local community.
Some ideas include:
Holding a community fundraiser
Planting trees
Cleaning up a beach or park
Volunteering at a local aged care centre.
3. Grow-ga
Grow-ga (aka growth mindset yoga) is the perfect blend of exercise and positive affirmation. It’s a fantastic way to get kids excited about exercise, while improving their confidence.
Choose some simple yoga poses for beginners, and pair them with positive self-statements, such as:
“I always put in my best effort”
“I care about other people”
“I love learning new things”
4. Self-awareness statements
A crucial part of a growth mindset is understanding who you are. This includes understanding your strengths and weaknesses, what motivates you and what causes stress.
Ask your kids to respond to these prompts honestly. They’ll increase self-awareness and identify areas they can improve.
“I am strong in these areas”
“I can improve in these areas”
“I need help with”
“I feel stressed when”
“I learn best when”
