AD – this is a paid collaboration.
We all face setbacks from time to time which make us feel like giving up. Children who struggle to overcome these challenges may start to feel insecure, and like they are not as good as their peers, so it’s important for parents to try and help their child develop a growth mindset. Simply telling them they need to try harder or stop being so sensitive will not help; it will just make them defensive. Here’s some advice from a junior school in Buckinghamshire.
The best thing you can do is help your child understand that setbacks actually make us stronger. Failing shouldn’t make us give up, it should encourage us to try again and strive to improve. So, if your child fails a test, for example, you could say something like “What can we do to help you next time? Would it help if we spoke to your teacher together? Can I get you a study guide?”. This will help your child focus on how they can improve, rather than dwell on their shortcomings. The idea is to celebrate their mistakes, because they’re a sign that your child is stretching themselves.
Another way to help your child develop a growth mindset is to encourage them to try new things, which will allow them to learn and open up their minds to different concepts. Perhaps you could suggest that they join some sort of extra-curricular club, where they will develop new skills and make new friends. This will also give them the confidence to continue try new things and take risks.
Be sure to praise your child when you see your child approaching a challenge with an optimistic attitude – try not to focus on the end result every time. Remind them if they continue with a positive approach, their abilities will keep on improving over time. Set high expectations for them, because this will show them that you believe in them and will boost their self-esteem.
