Building a Growth Mindset: Helping Kids (and Adults) Learn from Mistakes
- Justin Lyons
- Jul 17
- 2 min read
As Carol Dweck, the leading voice on this topic, reminds us: “Becoming is better than being.”
What if every mistake you made was actually a clue that you’re growing? What if the hard days, the “I can’t do this” moments, were actually the most important ones?
That’s what a growth mindset is all about. It’s the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed over time through effort, practice, and learning from failure.
Praise Effort, Not Just Results
Instead of saying “You’re so smart!”—which focuses on talent—try acknowledging the effort, persistence, and problem-solving your child or even you showed.
✅ “You really stuck with it, even when it got hard.”
✅ “I can tell you put a lot of time into this!”
When we celebrate the process, not just the outcome, we empower ourselves and others to keep going—even when it’s tough.
Model Learning Out Loud
Growth mindset isn’t just a concept to teach—it's a lifestyle to live.
Share your own learning journeys. Let your kids, students, or peers see you stumble, get back up, and figure it out.
🗣 “I didn’t know how to fix the printer today. I was really frustrated, but I watched a video and gave it another shot. I eventually figured it out!”
You’re showing that grown-ups don’t have it all figured out—and that’s OK.
Add the Power of “Yet”
One small word with massive impact: “YET.”
Say it with me:
✅ “I can’t do this… yet.”
✅ “You haven’t solved it… yet.”
This simple shift reinforces that learning is a journey. We're always in progress.
Normalize Mistakes
Turn mistakes into learning opportunities. Make it a ritual!
Family or Classroom Idea: During dinner or circle time, go around and answer this:
“What’s one thing you struggled with today—and what did you learn from it?”
Normalize the struggle. Celebrate the insight. That’s how resilient learners are built.
A Question to Reflect On:
What’s one mistake that taught you something really important?
Write it down, share it in a journal, or talk about it with a friend or your child.
Growth mindset doesn’t mean you never feel frustrated—it means you believe effort leads to improvement. It means showing up, even when you’re unsure. It means believing you can… eventually.
This week, pick one area in your life to practice a growth mindset—maybe learning something new, pushing through frustration, or encouraging someone else.
Share it with us in the comments or in your stories!
What are you working on, and how does it feel to grow?
Let’s Grow Together
Struggling with setbacks or helping your child build resilience? I offer one-on-one coaching sessions to help you develop a growth mindset, boost confidence, and turn mistakes into meaningful progress.
🌱 Ready to shift your mindset and keep moving forward?
📩 Visit www.specialconnects.com
📬 Or email specialconnectsllc@gmail.com to get started.
Small shifts. Big growth.
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