Tips, Mistakes to Avoid & Expert Insights

As we continue to navigate education's increasing complexities, creating a growth mindset in our students is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity. Children are undergoing pressures, academically and socially, at unprecedented levels. Teachers can directly influence what culture their students learn, fail, and grow.

But, what does a growth mindset look like in a classroom? As a teacher, how can you intentionally create that growth mindset?

To answer those questions, let's look at practical suggestions, what to avoid, and some high-level research-based guidance to turn your classroom into a safe space for learning, resilience, and confidence for life.

What is a Growth Mindset?

Psychologist Carol Dweck coined the term growth mindset to mean the belief that abilities and intelligence can be cultivated through hard work, persistence, and learning from mistakes. A fixed mindset is the opposite: the belief that ability and intelligence are fixed characteristics.

When children have a belief system that says they can get smarter, they expend effort, which leads to achievement.

 

Reasons Why Educators Must Foster a Growth Mindset

• Fostering grit and perseverance
• Fostering emotional intelligence and self-awareness
• Helping students reframe challenges as opportunities
• Decreasing fear of failure and performance anxiety
• Establishing a love of learning instead of a love of grades

Ways to Create a Growth Mindset Classroom

 

• Fostering grit and perseverance

• Fostering emotional intelligence and self-awareness

• Helping students reframe challenges as opportunities

• Decreasing fear of failure and performance anxiety

• Establishing a love of learning instead of a love of grades

 

Ways to Create a Growth Mindset Classroom

1. Model it Yourself 

Your own actions establish the norms. Say when you're uncertain, demonstrate your learning from mistakes, and maintain a positive view about effort.

💡 Example: “I got that wrong, but now I know how to make improvements next time. Learning never ends—even for teachers!”

2. Use Growth Language 

Be deliberate as to the language you use. Be cautious never to label kids as “smart” or “slow”. Rather, focus your feedback on effort, strategies, and steps of progress.

You should say: 

“You worked really hard on that problem—what strategy did you use?”

Rather than:

“You're so smart—you got it quickly!”

3. Treat Mistakes as Learning Opportunities 

Establish an environment where it's ok not to get it right. Use class time to reflect on mistakes and what can be learned from them, openly if possible.

4. Set goals & Track progress 

Let the students consistently set personal learning goals (and review goals regularly). This will help to establish a sense of ownership and engagement to their learning.

Use goal journals, graphs or progress charts, and self-assessment rubrics as tools.

5. Ask students to reflect 

At the end of lessons you can ask students to reflect on any of the questions below:

What was challenging for you today?

What was your learning from it?

How did you overcome it?

Mistakes for Teachers to Avoid

 

•  Prioritizing intelligence versus effort

 This promotes a fixed mindset. Children will not attempt hard tasks fearing they will lose their "smart" status. 

• Comparing students

Each learner is an individual. Once a comparison is made, feelings of mediocrity are emulated by students. 

•  Focusing on results

It is more important to focus on how a student approached solving a problem rather than the results. This is a huge part of the process. 

•  Not letting students struggle

Rushing in to help students each time they get stuck is not going to help their learning. Productive struggle is a powerful way to help students grow and learn. 

 

Conclusion

Instilling a growth mindset is one of the most meaningful gifts that a teacher can offer. It extends past academics—affecting how students view themselves, their abilities, and ultimately how they perceive their world. By being intentional about language, creating space for missteps, and prioritizing progress over perfection, you establish a culture that empowers every learner's growth.