Watching children grow, especially in their favorite activities, can be both heartwarming and challenging. Take my daughter, for example—she loves her dance class. When she’s placed in the front, her excitement is contagious, but if she’s asked to stand in the back or gets scolded, her mood shifts, and she feels less motivated.

As parents, we can guide our kids through these ups and downs by encouraging a “growth mindset.” It’s about helping them understand that even when they face setbacks, they can improve with effort and persistence.

What Is a Growth Mindset?
A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. It’s like telling your child, “You might not be perfect at this yet, but you can improve with practice.” For example, when my daughter feels discouraged after a tough dance class, I remind her that each class is an opportunity to learn something new.

Why It Matters
Children with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities to learn rather than reasons to give up. When my daughter is moved to the back of the class, instead of feeling upset, I encourage her to ask herself, “What can I do better next time?” This helps her turn frustration into motivation.

Ways to Encourage a Growth Mindset

1. Praise Effort, Not Talent
   Instead of saying, “You’re such a great dancer,” I say, “You worked really hard on that new move today!” This shifts the focus from natural talent to the effort she’s putting in. It helps children realize that hard work leads to improvement, and it also builds resilience. By praising effort, you teach your child that progress is more important than innate talent, encouraging them to keep going even when things get tough. When they understand that effort is within their control, they’re more likely to persevere and improve.
2. Turn Challenges into Learning Opportunities
   When your child struggles, like my daughter does with certain dance steps, you can ask, “What can we learn from this?” It’s a great way to help them see that mistakes are just part of the learning process and without mistakes there can be no learning. Taking challenges and loving them is what needs to be taught.
3. Celebrate Small Wins
   After a tough class, I make sure we celebrate even the smallest improvement. Maybe she finally nailed that tricky mudra—whatever it is, we high-five and acknowledge her progress. This keeps her motivated to keep trying. Feeling appreciated for the effort and not just for succeeding gradually builds the mindset.
4. Gratitude
   Have your own little reflection time, talk how she’s growing day by day. It ll be fun to remember how you started and where you have reached instead of always talking about where you want to reach. Even if things donot go as planned, discuss how setbacks should fire you up and not discourage you.

Example Time!

Let’s say your child is learning how to ride a bike. At first, they may fall, but instead of saying, “I can’t do it,” encourage them to say, “I’m getting better with practice!” Similarly, when my daughter finds herself at the back of the dance class, I remind her that it’s okay—next time, she’ll improve and maybe get to lead a step.

The Power of Positive Language
Using phrases like “not yet” instead of “I can’t” makes a huge difference. When your child says, “I’m bad at math,” you can gently remind them, “You’re not good at math yet, but with practice, you will be.” I apply the same logic with my daughter’s dance steps—some moves are tricky, but with patience, she knows she’ll master them.

By encouraging a growth mindset, you’re teaching your child that their potential is limitless. Whether it’s dance, schoolwork, or any other activity, it’s the process of learning that truly matters. Remember Failures are valuable learning opportunities, rather than reflections of inherent ability.