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Russell Lower School

Resilience/Growth Mindset

RESILIENCE - the ability to bounce back after challenges or tough times/the ability to handle life's ups and downs.

A child who responds well to difficulties in life will often have the following characteristics:
  • A strong sense of independence, autonomy, and self-confidence.
  • Ability to communicate well with others and express themselves.
  • Good problem-solving skills.
  • Strong empathy and respect for others.
  • Active interest in school activities.
  • Responds well to instructions and guidance.
  • Knows how to ask for support.
  • Open to trying new things.
 
WAYS TO BUILD RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN:

1. Encourage healthy risk taking.
2. Show acceptance of mistakes and losses.
3. Ask questions to encourage independent thinking.
4. Praise accomplishments in the right way.
5. Define and discuss emotions. (Emotion Coaching)
6. Promote optimism and positive thinking.
7. Encourage interaction with others.
8. Show that it’s okay to ask for help.

What is a growth mindset?

Has your child ever said to you ‘There’s no point, I’ll never be able to do it’ or avoided doing something because they’ve failed at it in the past?

Feelings like this can be related to what children believe about what makes them ‘good’ at something – whether it’s school work, sport, or even their ability to manage their emotions and behaviour.

Some children will tend to give up on challenging tasks easily, or avoid tasks they’ve failed at before. They tend to believe that being ‘good’ at a particular activity is a fixed state, and is something they can’t control. In psychology, this way of thinking is called a ‘fixed mindset’.

Others might bounce back quickly from failure and be more likely to explore how they can get better at doing something. They tend to be children who believe that you can improve your abilities by practising, or by finding a different way to achieve your goal. This way of thinking is called a ‘growth mindset’, and developing it can help make children more resilient for life.

There are lots of small things you can do every day that can help your little one develop a growth mindset.

  • Set high expectations for your child
  • Encourage children to be resilient and not give up, even when they find something difficult or frustrating
  • Celebrate mistakes!
  • Use inspirational role models