Helping Children Develop Perseverance and a Positive Mindset

For many parents and teachers, there is nothing more important than helping children succeed. Like adults, some kids are naturally more motivated and have a positive outlook. So how do you help those who struggle or tend to give up when class assignments or homework becomes challenging?

Here are 7 ways you can help kids learn to push past frustration:
 
#1 Focus on your child’s strengths: Focus on activities that your child enjoys and excels in. Whether it is in a school subject, or extracurricular activity, when he has the opportunity to do things that make him happy, self-confidence will grow so the more challenging undertakings won’t seem so overwhelming.
 
#2 Give your child a job: Assign a new chore or a special job like helping plan meals, prepare dinner, or feeding a pet. The responsibility will provide the opportunity to learn something new and take pride in doing it well.
 
#3 Offer praise for efforts: Offering sincere praise that has been earned will nurture a positive mindset and self-esteem. It’s important to focus on the effort, rather than the outcome. This approach is beneficial in helping a child place attention on success versus failure. The following are examples that will encourage tenacity:
 

• I’m so proud of you for working on that problem until you figured it out.
• You didn’t give up, good for you!
• I love how you come up with new ideas.
• You are such a good friend to ____ when you share your favorite toy.

 
#4 Teach them how to plan ahead: By teaching your child to work on school projects by planning it out in stages, it will help reduce stress and show him how small steps can amount to big results.
 
#5 Encourage helping others: Whether it is volunteering at a shelter, helping an elderly neighbor, or donating to a food bank, children can learn a lot from helping those in need. It helps them gain perspective while building character and confidence.
 
#6 Lead by example: Be mindful of the words used around your child and he or she will learn by your example. The brain is more capable of learning with an optimistic attitude. The next time you make a mistake, turn it into a positive by commenting along the lines of: “I learned ____ from that mistake I made.” Take advantage of the opportunity to point out an opportunity to learn by saying, “I don’t know how to do this yet, but I am going to figure it out.”
 
#7 Help your child work through a problem: When you see your child struggling with a school assignment and wants to give up, show your support by helping identify the exact hurdle. Once the challenge has been identified ask questions that will help guide your child to find a solution.
 
Helping children learn to overcome hurdles and to view challenges as an opportunity to grow will aid in the development of skills that will serve them throughout life.

Growth Mindset Word Search Puzzle

A$0.00

This resource is a fun and challenging Word Search Activity to help reinforce characteristics of Growth Mindset. Use this puzzle to introduce key terms associated with a growth mindset and to supplement your growth mindset lessons in the classroom or at home.

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Growth Mindset Math Mystery: Case of the Magnificent Growth Mindset - 2nd Grade Edition

A$4.50

Growth Mindset Math Mystery: the Case of the Magnificent Growth Mindset This math activity is a fun way to review and practice mathematical skills in the classroom or at home. Ideal for spiral review, consolidation, math centers, homework, enrichment, early-finisher or the sub-tub.

Easy prep! Just Print & Solve! Or go paperless with the new Google Slides option provided within your download.

Students must complete math worksheets to unlock clues. Then, use their powers of deduction to narrow down the list of possibilities to solve the mystery case!

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Growth Mindset Math Mystery: Case of the Magnificent Growth Mindset - 4th Grade Edition

A$4.00

Growth Mindest Math Mystery: the Case of the Magnificent Growth Mindset. This math activity is a fun way to review and practice mathematical skills in the classroom or at home. Ideal for spiral review, consolidation, math centers, homework, enrichment, early-finisher, or the sub-tub.

Easy prep! Just Print & Solve! Or go paperless with the new Google Slides option provided within your download.

⭐Optional video hook included for introducing the case! (Check it out in the preview section)

⭐BONUS: Ending video added to wrap up the case!

Students must complete math worksheets to unlock clues. Then, use their powers of deduction to narrow down the list of possibilities to solve the mystery case!

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Growth Mindset Math Mystery: Case of the Magnificent Growth Mindset - 5th Grade Edition

A$4.50

Growth Mindset Math Mystery: the Case of the Magnificent Growth Mindset. This math activity is a fun way to review and practice mathematical skills in the classroom or at home. Ideal for spiral review, consolidation, math centers, homework, enrichment, early-finisher or the sub-tub.

⭐Optional video hook included for introducing the case! 

⭐BONUS: Ending video added to wrap up the case!

Easy prep! Just Print & Solve! Or go paperless with the new Google Slides option provided within your download.

Students must complete math worksheets to unlock clues. Then, use their powers of deduction to narrow down the list of possibilities to solve the mystery case!

Shop

Growth Mindset Math Mystery: Case of the Magnificent Growth Mindset - 6th Grade Edition

A$4.00

Growth Mindset Math Mystery: the Case of the Magnificent Growth Mindset. This math activity is a fun way to review and practice mathematical skills in the classroom or at home. Ideal for spiral review, consolidation, math centers, homework, enrichment, early-finisher, or the sub-tub.

Easy prep! Just Print & Solve! Or go paperless with the new Google Slides option provided within your download.

⭐Optional video hook included for introducing the case! (Check it out in the preview section)

⭐BONUS: Ending video added to wrap up the case!

Students must complete math worksheets to unlock clues. Then, use their powers of deduction to narrow down the list of possibilities to solve the mystery case!

Shop

Growth Mindset Math Mystery: Case of the Magnificent Growth Mindset - 1st Grade Edition

A$4.50

Growth Mindset Math Mystery Activity - 1st Grade Edition.

Easy prep! Just Print & Solve! Or go paperless with the new Google Slides option provided within your download.

⭐Optional video hook included for introducing the case! (Check it out in the preview section)

⭐BONUS: Ending video added to wrap up the case!

This mystery has been tailored to use early in the school year, so the math reviews concepts from the previous grade level to help you assess your students.

Students must use their math skills to unlock clues. Then, use their powers of deduction to narrow down the list of nominees to find the winner! The list is shorter and with profile pictures in the first-grade edition.

Suggestion: For this specific mystery, I recommend keeping the possible winners list away from students till the end.

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Growth Mindset Math Mystery: The Case of the Magnificent Growth Mindset - 3rd Grade Edition

A$4.50

Growth Mindset Math Mystery: the Case of the Magnificent Growth Mindset. This math activity is a fun way to review and practice mathematical skills in the classroom or at home. Ideal for spiral review, consolidation, math centers, homework, enrichment, early-finisher, or the sub-tub.

Easy prep! Just Print & Solve! Or go paperless with the new Google Slides option provided within your download.

⭐Optional video hook included for introducing the case! 

⭐BONUS: Ending video added to wrap up the case!

Students must complete math worksheets to unlock clues. Then, use their powers of deduction to narrow down the list of possibilities to solve the mystery case!

Shop