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Unlock Potential: The Power of a Growth Mindset

Posted Date: 08/03/26 (09:00 AM)
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Infographic comparing fixed and growth mindsets, illustrating how beliefs about intelligence influence responses to challenges, effort, feedback, and achievement, while highlighting strategies such as praising effort, viewing the brain as a muscle, and using the word “yet” to foster a culture of growth and learning.
As we start a new school year you can help your student unlock their potential by encouraging a growth mindset.

How we think about learning and intelligence can have a powerful impact on our success. Research on mindset suggests that people generally operate from one of two perspectives: a fixed mindset or a growth mindset.
A person with a fixed mindset believes that intelligence, talent, and abilities are largely set and cannot be significantly changed. A person with a growth mindset believes that abilities can be developed through effort, practice, learning, and persistence.
A growth mindset helps build resilience and often leads to higher levels of achievement over time. When we view learning as a process, setbacks become stepping stones rather than stopping points.

Three Ways to Foster a Growth Mindset
1. Praise the Process, Not the Person
Focus on effort, strategies, persistence, and improvement rather than natural ability.
Instead of: "You're so smart."
Try: "I can see how hard you worked on that."
2. Teach That the Brain Is Like a Muscle
Just as muscles become stronger with exercise, the brain develops through learning, practice, and new experiences. Every challenge and new skill helps build stronger connections in the brain.
3. Add the Word "Yet"
One small word can make a big difference.
Instead of: "I can't do this."
Try: "I can't do this yet."