Raising a Growth Mindset: Strategies for Encouraging Persistence

15 August 2025

We all want to see our kids succeed—but not just in the short-term. What really matters is helping them develop traits that will carry them through life. One of those traits? A growth mindset. It's the secret sauce behind stamina, resilience, and the kind of grit that powers people through challenges.

But here’s the thing: a growth mindset doesn’t just magically appear. It’s built over time, nurtured like a plant, and encouraged through everyday interactions. If you've ever wondered how to help your child (or yourself!) become more persistent and less fearful of failure, you’re in the right place.

Let’s dive into practical, science-backed strategies for raising a growth mindset and turning struggle into strength.

What is a Growth Mindset, Really?

At its core, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. It’s the opposite of a fixed mindset, where people believe their capabilities are set in stone.

Think about how a muscle grows. You push it, challenge it, and feed it. Over time, it gets stronger. The brain works pretty much the same way. The more we practice and struggle through challenges, the stronger our mental muscles get.

Carol Dweck, the psychologist behind the concept, found that people with a growth mindset are not only more likely to succeed—they’re also more likely to enjoy the journey.

Why Is Persistence So Important?

Okay, quick story time. Imagine two kids learning to ride a bike. One falls off once and quits. The other falls off, scrapes a knee, gets up... and keeps going. Yeah, the second kid might cry a little, but they’re still trying.

That’s persistence, and it’s fueled by having a growth mindset. When kids (and adults!) understand that failure isn’t a dead end but a stepping stone, they’re much more likely to keep going.

Persistence teaches patience, emotional regulation, and builds confidence. And let’s be real, life throws curveballs. Persistence helps kids (and grownups) deal with those curveballs without crumbling.

Signs Your Child (or You) Might Have a Fixed Mindset

Let’s paint a picture of what a fixed mindset might look like first:

- They give up easily when things get hard
- They say things like “I’m just not good at this” or “I can’t do it”
- They avoid challenges and stick to what they know
- They take failure personally, like it defines them
- They see effort as a sign they’re not smart

Sound familiar? No shame if it does. The good news is—mindsets are not permanent. We can shift them with time, patience, and the right strategies.

1. Start with the Language You Use

The words we choose can be powerful little mindset shapers. Every time we talk about ability and success, we’re either reinforcing a fixed mindset or building a growth one.

Say This Instead of That

- ❌ “You’re so smart!”
✅ “You worked really hard on that!”

- ❌ “You’re a natural at math!”
✅ “That shows how much practice you’ve put in!”

- ❌ “Don’t worry, not everyone is good at sports.”
✅ “It’s all about getting better with effort.”

Praising effort over outcome helps kids (and again, adults!) anchor their sense of success in what they can control.

2. Praise the Process, Not the Person

Here’s a hard truth: constant praise for being “smart” can backfire. It can make kids afraid to try new things and risk failure, because they’re scared to lose that “smart” label.

Instead, highlight:

- The strategies they used
- Their effort and progress
- How they handled setbacks

It’s like saying, “I see how hard you’re working at solving this problem,” rather than, “You’re a genius!”

3. Model a Growth Mindset Yourself

Kids absorb what they see more than what they’re told. So, as uncomfortable as it may feel, let them catch you struggling—and working through it.

Say things like:

- “Wow, this is hard. But I know I can figure it out with a little more time.”
- “That didn’t work the way I planned. What can I try next?”
- “I messed that up, but that’s how I learn.”

When they see you treating failure as feedback, they’ll learn to do the same.

4. Teach the Power of “Yet”

Three little letters. One big impact.

“I can’t do this… yet.”

That simple word turns a hopeless statement into a hopeful one. Encourage your child (and yourself) to add “yet” whenever they feel stuck.

- “I don’t understand this math problem… yet.”
- “I’m not a fast reader… yet.”

It sounds small, but it plants the seed that growth is possible.

5. Redefine What Success Means

If success only means “getting it right,” we’re setting the bar way too narrow and robbing kids of the joy of learning.

Try reframing success as:

- Trying something new
- Asking for help
- Practicing even when it's tough
- Coming back after failure

This kind of mindset turns the learning process into a win, even when the outcome isn’t perfect.

6. Encourage Risk-Taking and Embrace Mistakes

Nobody grows in their comfort zone. Encourage your child to try new things, even if they might fail—especially if they might fail.

Celebrate effort over perfection with phrases like:

- “What’s something new you tried today?”
- “What did you learn from that mistake?”
- “I’m proud of how you kept going.”

Mistakes are like workouts for the brain. They hurt a little… but they build real mental strength.

7. Set Micro-Goals to Build Momentum

Big goals can be intimidating. Want to build persistence? Break challenges into bite-sized wins.

Instead of “Finish the entire science project,” go with:

- “Research interesting volcanoes today”
- “Write one paragraph”
- “Create the poster tomorrow”

Each small win creates momentum. And small wins stack up fast.

8. Introduce the Brain as a Muscle

Kids (and adults) love visuals. So next time your child says, “I’m just not good at this,” remind them that their brain literally changes when they challenge it.

Talk about how:

- Neural pathways strengthen with practice
- Struggle actually grows the brain
- Every mistake creates new connections

Like lifting weights, it’s hard at first—but the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

9. Stay Calm in the Face of Frustration

When your child melts down over a puzzle or screams that they “can’t do it,” the knee-jerk reaction might be to fix it… or join them in their stress.

Instead? Breathe. Stay calm. Validate their feelings.

Try saying:

- “This is tough, huh? But I see you’re trying.”
- “It's okay to be frustrated—it means you're learning something new.”
- “Let's take a break and come back to it.”

Let them experience frustration without being rescued every time. It builds emotional muscles too.

10. Build a Growth Mindset Culture at Home

If everyone in the family talks, thinks, and acts with a growth mindset, it becomes second nature.

Ideas:

- Have a “mistake of the day” moment at dinner. Share what you messed up and what you learned.
- Post inspirational quotes around the house.
- Create a “failure wall” filled with flops turned into wins.

Make growth mindset more than a concept—it should be a lifestyle.

So, What Happens Over Time?

When you stick with these strategies, bit by bit, something amazing happens:

- Kids become more self-aware
- They start enjoying challenges
- They bounce back from failure faster
- They persist when things get tough
- They stop fearing effort and embrace it

Most importantly? They start to believe in themselves not because of natural ability, but because of their ability to grow.

Final Thoughts: Growth is Built, Not Born

No one wakes up one day with an unshakable growth mindset. It’s fostered intentionally, brick by brick, over years of encouragement, setbacks, and do-overs.

But that’s the beauty of it: you don’t need to be perfect to raise a growth mindset—you just need to be consistent.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, coach, or someone trying to change your own thinking, remember this: every small step matters. Every time you choose effort over excuses, persistence over perfection, and process over praise, you’re molding a mindset that will last a lifetime.

So—ready to raise resilience, grit, and an appetite for growth?

Let’s keep growing together.