Stop Labelling and Help Your Child Develop a Growth Mindset
As a parent, labelling your kids starts with the best of intentions. For instance, when your kid scores a high grade in mathematics, it is normal for you to encourage them by saying, "Wow!! You are a math genius".
Well, this strategy works in helping kids to improve their performance.
However, the approach is also a form of labelling that encourages kids to develop a fixed mindset as opposed to a growth mindset.
Specifically, a label gives your kids identity by placing them in a figurative box that dictates what they can do and what they can’t do.
For example, labelling your kid a maths genius puts them in an identity box that will limit them into behaving like a maths genius. The same case applies to negative labelling. A negative label makes your kid feel like you don't expect them to change. If you label your kid as messy for instance, they will not feel obligated to be tidy because they know that you already expect them to be untidy.
How to stop labelling and encourage a growth mindset?
Instead of using positive labels when your kid does something good, support them by praising their effort or giving something a real go.
For instance, instead of telling your kid that they are a maths genius when they pass a test, tell them that you are proud of the effort that they put to pass the test.
This strategy encourages your kids to develop a growth mindset that associates effort with excellence.
Moreover, substitute negative labels with illustrations on how something should be done. An alternative for labelling your kid as messy, show them how to tidy up their room and encourage them to do it on their own.
This strategy helps your kids to have a growth mindset that is solution-focused and encourages them to seek new ways to improve their weaknesses.
As a substitute for labelling your kids, encourage them to grow, change, and improve on their weaknesses continually. With the help of Grow Kids Minds, learn how to help your kids to develop a growth mindset.
