Growth Mindset
Understand the concept of a growth mindset — that abilities and intelligence can grow with effort, practice, and good strategies — as opposed to a fixed mindset where you believe you're either good at something or you're not
What a learner can do afterwards
- Explain the difference between growth mindset and fixed mindset in their own words
- Use 'yet' language when describing something they find difficult
- Give an example of something they got better at through practice and effort
The lesson
Some kids think you're either born good at something or you're not, and that never changes. That's called a fixed mindset. A growth mindset is different. It means your brain can get stronger the more you use it, kind of like a muscle. When you practice and try new ways of doing things, you really do get better.
Mia could not do a cartwheel. At first she said, 'I'm just bad at this.' Then she remembered that practice can grow a skill. She started saying, 'I can't do a cartwheel yet,' and practiced every day after school. Two weeks later, she landed her first cartwheel.
Next time something feels hard, add one word: yet. Try saying, 'I can't read this word yet,' instead of 'I can't read this word.' That word keeps the door open for trying again.
A growth mindset means practice can grow your skills, so swap 'I can't' for 'I can't do it yet.'
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.