What It Means
A growth mindset is the belief that abilities, including intelligence, can be developed through effort, learning and good strategies. Its opposite is a fixed mindsetFixed mindsetThe belief that abilities like intelligence and talent are fixed and can't change much, a term from psychologist Carol Dweck's research. See more, the belief that ability is fixed and can't change much. Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck described the two mindsets in her research and in her 2006 book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.
Try It: Which One Sounds Like a Growth Mindset?
In each pair, tap the line that shows a growth mindset.
1. Stuck on fractions
Yes. It treats the skill as something that can grow.
That treats math ability as fixed.
2. A friend reads faster
Yes. Practice explains the gap, and practice is open to anyone.
That sees reading as a trait you have or don't.
3. Offered a harder puzzle
Yes. In Dweck's studies, children praised for effort chose harder problems like this.
Avoiding a challenge to look smart is the pattern Dweck linked to a fixed mindset.
How Parents Say It
- "You can't do it yet."
- "Mistakes help your brain learn."
- "Let's try a different strategy."
The Breakdown
What it looks like by age
| Age | What sources describe | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten and fifth grade | In Dweck's praise studies, children praised for effort chose harder problems and stayed motivated; children praised for intelligence avoided them | Stanford, Bing Nursery School |
| Middle school | Mindset Works' Brainology program teaches middle schoolers how the brain learns and changes with practice | Mindset Works |
| College | Stanford's teaching guide advises avoiding labels like "giftedGifted and talentedStudents who show high ability in an intellectual, creative, artistic, leadership or academic area and need services beyond the regular classroom to develop it. See more" and "smartSave More TomorrowA savings plan by Richard Thaler and Shlomo Benartzi in which you agree now to raise your retirement contribution each time you get a pay raise. See more" and giving feedbackConstructive feedbackSpecific, fact-based feedback that describes what someone did and its effect, so they can keep doing it or change it. See more on the process | Stanford Teaching Commons |
Ways parents encourage it
- Praise effort, strategies and persistence rather than talent.
- When something fails, talk about what to try next.
- Pair praise with honest feedback on how to improve.
- Share your own mistakes and what you learned from them.
Short version to try today. When your child says "I can't do this," ask, "What could you try next?"
When to talk to the school. If your child avoids anything hard, gets very upset over mistakes, or has decided they're "bad at" a subject, talk with their teacher.
Where It Comes From
The terms come from Carol Dweck's research on how children and students think about ability. Stanford's Bing Nursery School describes her studies comparing praise for intelligence with praise for effort, and Stanford Teaching Commons credits the growth mindset concept to her 2006 book.
Good to Know
Dweck has warned against oversimplifying her work, according to Stanford Teaching Commons. Praising effortProcess praisePraise for how a child worked, such as effort, strategy, focus or persistence, rather than for a trait like being smart or talented. See more alone can backfire, children also need constructive feedback, and a child's struggles shouldn't be blamed on their mindset. The same page notes critics who see the idea as oversimplified or faddish, so treat it as a helpful way of talking about learning rather than a fix for every problem.
FAQ
What is a growth mindset in simple terms?
The belief that you can get better at something by working at it, practicing and trying new strategies. Stanford Teaching Commons describes it as believing intelligence can expand and develop.
Who came up with the growth mindset?
Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, whose research and 2006 book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success describe fixed and growth mindsets.
How do I teach my child a growth mindset?
Praise the process, such as effort, strategies and sticking with it, rather than calling them smart. Dweck also stresses honest feedback, so help your child find a new approach when effort alone isn't working.
Do It in Buhata
Habit streaks
Track one practice habit your family is working on, like 10 minutes of reading, in Habit streaks (Plus) in Buhata, so the effort shows up day by day.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Fixed mindset
The belief that abilities like intelligence and talent are fixed and can't change much, a term from psychologist Carol Dweck's research.
- Process praise
Praise for how a child worked, such as effort, strategy, focus or persistence, rather than for a trait like being smart or talented.
- Praise vs encouragement
A distinction from Adlerian parenting: praise credits the child for a result, while encouragement credits effort, improvement and what the child did.
- Resilience
The capacity to adapt and keep developing well in the face of hardship. In children it's built above all through a stable, supportive relationship with an adult.
- Self-esteem
How a person feels about themselves and what they can do. In a child, healthy self-esteem shows as feeling liked, accepted and able to try again after a mistake.
Sources
Stanford Teaching Commons, "Growth Mindset and Enhanced Learning"; Stanford University, Bing Nursery School, "Carol Dweck: Praising Intelligence: Costs to Children's Self-Esteem and Motivation"; Stanford University, The Clayman Institute for Gender Research, "Understanding a mindset for success"; Mindset Works, "Brainology Program"
- teachingcommons.stanford.edu/teaching-guides/foundations-course-design/learning-activities/growth-mindset-and-enhanced-learning
- bingschool.stanford.edu/news/carol-dweck-praising-intelligence-costs-childrens-self-esteem-and-motivation
- gender.stanford.edu/news/understanding-mindset-success
Last updated .