Growth mindset in the classroom? It’s a game-changer, trust me. If you’ve been around education for the last few years, you’ve likely heard “growth mindset” more than once. That’s because teachers everywhere are adjusting their classrooms to cultivate a growth mindset environment. It is a powerful tool that can potentially transform students’ futures positively.

What is Growth Mindset in Education?

Growth mindset in the classroom is about allowing students to believe in their potential. This helps students understand that they can unlock new skills and abilities through effort and study. Cultivating a love of learning is one way to do this. Teachers can empower students to take charge of their growth. Specifically, this means teaching them how to embrace challenges and not fear them, making mistakes and learning from them, and encouraging perseverance when things get tough. 

Honestly, a growth mindset is hard to teach unless you have a growth mindset mentality yourself. We must show students what that looks like each day to foster a positive, can-do attitude. But when there is so much to do in a short day, how do we add one more thing to the schedule? Here are three effective ways to create a growth mindset in your classroom.  

Growth Mindset Tip #1: Mindful Language Matters 

The foundation of a growth mindset classroom is the language that’s used. Putting an end to negative self-talk and exchanging it with encouraging self-talk is the best way to accomplish this. We must start here and be mindful and intentional with the language we use. At first, this might not be easy, but the more you do it, the easier it will become.

Look for opportunities to speak the words not only to your students but to yourself too. When you hear groans of frustration or phrases like “I can’t,” you’ve found the perfect timing. Follow up these verbal negatives with encouraging and positive words.

Replace the Negative with the Positive

A growth mindset is more than just a “You can do it!” and a pat on the back. Instead, a growth mindset teaches our students that diligence and perseverance can accomplish what is difficult. We can all learn through failure, and we can change our outcomes. 

For example, imagine yourself introducing a new math topic in front of your class. As you scan the rows of desks, you see blank stares and hear the groaning and look of defeat already. This often accompanies a feeling of failure.

This is the perfect opportunity to replace negative self-talk with positive language! Instead of continuing with the math lesson, stop and talk out their feelings. It might sound something like this:

“Class, I know this is a difficult concept. When I was first learning this, I had a hard time too. But this is just the beginning. Together we are going to take time to learn and practice. We might do it incorrectly, which is okay because we can learn from those mistakes. It might feel like we will never get it, but we won’t give up. Instead, we will keep working at it, supporting and helping each other. We can learn how to do this!”

Practicing Positive Self-Talk

You can even take it a step further and get the class to repeat some simple sentences with you. Doing this as a group is a great way to build community and a sense of belonging. Here are a few simple sentences you can try:

“I won’t give up. I will keep trying!”

“It may be hard, but I can do it!”

“If I don’t get it the first time, it’s okay!”

Growth Mindset Tip #2: Be Purposeful With Your Actions

Everything is easier said than done. Having a growth mindset in the classroom is no exception. Teachers must actively put the words into practice. Our behavioral response to a student’s frustration or incorrect answer can often say a lot more than the words we speak. In fact, our students pick up on a lot more body language and facial expressions than we sometimes give them credit for.

Even some not-so-obvious, small actions, like a big sigh or a little eye roll, can send a big message. These may make students feel as if the teacher doesn’t believe in them or they are tired of repeating themselves.  

Those actions all speak louder than the words we can say. We can model what that mindset is like by intentionally choosing to act by the growth mindset words. 

Modeling a Growth Mindset

Nurturing a growth mindset classroom means purposefully modeling what growth mindset looks like, even as the teacher. If we say, “We can learn from our mistakes,” then we must allow our students to do so. When a student answers incorrectly, avoid jumping to the next student looking for the correct answer. Instead, take the time to help the student find the mistake. Then give them a chance to answer again.

If we say, “Is this my best? How can I improve?” then teachers must be willing to differentiate our activities and challenge all students at their level. Challenging even the most advanced student will help foster their growth mindset and improve their work.

Growth Mindset Tip #3: Be Intentional With Your Learning Environment

As teachers, we know that what you put inside the walls of your classroom can affect the classroom environment. Set a goal to create a warm, inviting, and safe space for all students. Use your space intentionally to promote growth mindset principles.

Start with growth mindset messages that your students can read each day. Words of encouragement and affirmation will begin their day with positivity. These can be words they can read and memorize and live out. Additionally, these words could be great focal messages for when their attention drifts away from the lesson. 

Incorporating Growth Mindset Posters

Incorporating growth mindset posters is a great way to be intentional with your learning environment. These posters can serve as an empowering visual to remind students to be positive, persevere, and embrace challenges. Not only do the students benefit from growth mindset posters, but it is also an excellent tool for the teacher! Honestly, it will help you be more intentional with your words and actions.

Post multiple posters around your room and refer to them daily. Read them and talk about what they mean. Refer back to them as situations present themselves. You might also focus on one growth mindset principle each week or month. Use the posters to introduce the focus principle and then talk about how to practice it each day. 

Think of these motivational posters as anchor charts for a growth mindset. You can quickly build your classroom theme around them or match them to your classroom decor. Want some fantastic growth mindset posters? Check out these Growth Mindset Posters for bulletin boards or classroom decor. You can also snag these Motivational Posters with growth mindset quotes!

Showcasing Student Work

Another great way to use your space and build a growth mindset environment is to intentionally set aside space in the classroom to display student work. By doing this, the students see that you are proud of their work. 

Success comes in many forms, and all students can succeed. Honestly, displaying all types of work, not just their best work, will help create a growth mindset classroom. Additionally, writing comments on the papers that show students tried hard, learned from their mistakes, and didn’t give up will encourage each child. 

Truly, there are so many benefits to creating a growth mindset classroom. Encouraging students to embrace challenges and develop resilience will lead to a happier classroom and a rockstar learning environment! Your students will have no choice but to succeed! 

Save these ideas for later!

Pin this to your favorite growth mindset Pinterest board! You will be able to find it easily when you are ready to implement these three effective ways to create a growth mindset classroom.