How our kids view themselves matters. It affects their ability to learn, work hard, and persevere. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of 30 growth mindset quotes for kids.
Our self-perception impacts our daily lives more than we realize. Our view of ourselves effects our ability to learn, develop new skills, start and grow relationships, and build a career.
The same holds true for kids. What do your kids believe about themselves? Does it matter if they believe they are smart or not? Creative or not? What’s more important: natural skill or hard work?
What is Growth Mindset for Kids?
Growth Mindset is based off the research of Carol Dweck. In short, there are two main mindsets that people can have: fixed and growth.
In a fixed mindset, people believe qualities such as intelligence and talent are fixed traits – either we have these traits or we don’t. Innate talent is the main ingredient for success.
People with a growth mindset believe traits can be developed through hard work and perseverance. Our intelligence and talents are a starting point, but our ability to succeed is based on our effort, grit, and determination.
Quotes Reinforce Growth Mindset
When we share growth mindset quotes with students, we are reinforcing how we want them to think about their abilities. Failure can be used to learn and grow. Mistakes are part of the process. Hard work can beat raw talent.
As children learn these growth mindset quotes, they become the soundtrack in their mind as they tackle new things. Instead of thinking, “I can’t do this,” they say instead: “I can’t do this YET, and I’m going to keep trying.”
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Growth Mindset Quotes Provide a Common Vocabulary for Teachers and Parents
Once kids know these growth mindset quotes, parents & teachers can use them in “teachable moments” to reinforce the thought process.
For example, when our son gets instantly frustrated when he is struggles with a math problem, we can remind him, “All things are difficult until they are easy.”
When our daughter is less than thrilled to tackle a research project, we can talk about one of my favorite quotes: “If you’re not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you’re determined to learn, no one can stop you.”
The words we say to our kids become the soundtrack of their childhood, and we want our kids to replay words of hope, determination, and confidence.
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Each week, focus on one growth mindset quote for kids, and keep it visible at home or in the classroom.
Whether it’s framed on the wall or shelf, written on a white board, or stapled to the bulletin board, highlighting one phrase per week helps kids really memorize and internalize the message.
Quotes such as:
If you’re not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you’re determined to learn, no one can stop you.
You don’t fail until you stop trying.
Two things you can always control: Your actions & Your attitude.
Invest time discussing the growth mindset quote.
Whether it’s in the classroom, around the dinner table, or in a home education setting, it’s simple to incorporate discussion about growth mindset with kids.
For us, we spend time together each day called Morning Time, and one of our activities each morning is to discuss a quote. Here’s our current routine:
Reinforce the growth mindset quotes for kids through additional activities.
Look for times when kids live out the growth mindset.
Try to “catch” children putting in great effort, trying again after mistakes, and showing persistence. Point out how they are living exactly what they’ve been learning through the growth mindset quotes.
These quotes will become a common language that you can use to remind kids of their ability to try, fail, grow, and learn. When we mention a growth mindset quote, we are reminding them of all the discussions and examples we’ve previous discussed – bringing a full breath of encouragement with one simple quote.
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