Week 7 Term 1 Panui

Kia ora te whānau,

As we navigate the journey of guiding our children toward success, one of the most valuable gifts we can offer them is the mindset of growth. A growth mindset empowers our children to embrace challenges, persist through setbacks, and ultimately thrive in both academic and personal endeavours. In this newsletter piece, we'll explore the importance of cultivating a growth mindset and share practical ways you can help foster this invaluable mindset in your children.

Why is a Growth Mindset Important?

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, perseverance, and learning from mistakes. When children possess a growth mindset:

• They Embrace Challenges: Rather than shying away from challenges, children with a growth mindset see them as opportunities for growth and learning.

• They Learn from Setbacks: Instead of being discouraged by failure, they view setbacks as temporary and use them as learning experiences to improve and grow.

• They Persist in the Face of Adversity: Children with a growth mindset have the resilience to keep trying, even when faced with obstacles or difficulties.

• They Value Effort and hard Work: They understand that success is not solely determined by innate talent but also by effort and dedication.

Practical Ways to Foster a Growth Mindset:

Praise Effort, Not Intelligence: When praising your child's accomplishments, focus on their effort, perseverance, and strategies used rather than solely on their intelligence or talent. Encourage them by saying, "I'm proud of how hard you worked on that project" or "I appreciate your determination to solve that problem."

Encourage Risk-Taking: Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and try new things, even if they might make mistakes along the way. Remind them that it's okay to fail and that mistakes are opportunities for growth and learning.

Teach the Power of "Yet": Encourage your child to add the word "yet" to their vocabulary when faced with challenges or setbacks. For example, instead of saying, "I can't do this," they can say, "I can't do this yet," indicating that they believe in their ability to improve over time with effort and practice.

Model a Growth Mindset: Children often learn by example, so demonstrate a growth mindset in your own actions and language. Share stories of your own challenges and how you overcame them through perseverance and resilience.

Provide Constructive Feedback: Instead of simply telling your child what they did wrong, offer specific, constructive feedback that focuses on areas for improvement and strategies for growth. Encourage them to see feedback as valuable guidance rather than criticism.

By nurturing a growth mindset in our children, we equip them with the mindset and skills they need to navigate life's challenges with confidence, resilience, and a passion for learning. Last week I shared this video with children at assembly to promote a growth mindset, and I recommend this one for parents - check them out when you have a spare moment! Together, let's empower our children to be confident and successful!

Ngā manaakitanga,

Symon Beattie

Principal