As educators, we have the power to help our students develop a growth mindset by implementing strategies that promote this way of thinking. Here are some phrases that teachers can use to promote growth mindset in the classroom:
- Emphasize the Process, Not Just the Outcome
- “I can see that you put a lot of effort into this.”
- “I appreciate the way you worked through this problem step-by-step.”
- “Let’s talk about the strategies you used to arrive at your answer.”
- Encourage Risk-Taking and Embrace Failure
- “Mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow.”
- “It’s okay to not get it right the first time.”
- “I’m proud of you for trying something new.”
- Provide Positive Feedback and Reinforcement
- “I can see that you’re making progress.”
- “Your hard work is paying off.”
- “I’m impressed by the way you’re persevering through this challenge.”
- Model a Growth Mindset Yourself
- “I’m still learning, too!”
- “I made a mistake, but that’s okay because I can learn from it.”
- “Let’s work through this challenge together.”