Hello! The mornings are getting lighter and it feels like the worst of the winter weather is behind us! With brighter days in mind, we are focusing on developing a Growth Mindset. If you haven't heard of this before, a Growth Mindset supports children in looking on the positive side of things and developing resilience. If you follow this link below you will find a great video which explains Growth Mindset and how to support your child in gradually developing a more optimistic outlook. 

You may find that your child may sometimes express that they don't want to come to school without a specific reason. This can become a barrier to attendance. It is important that we listen to and validate children's feelings. However, it is also vital for children to build resilience. Here are 5 top tips for building a growth mindset at home:

1. Pay attention to your child's positive behaviours - rather than praising children for being 'smart' or 'brilliant', praising hard work, persistence and resilience (keeping on trying when things are hard) can really help build your child's self-confidence. Be specific here, you could try 'Wow, I can see you kept on trying with that piece of art. It looks like you worked really hard.' 'I'm so proud that even though you found that hard, you kept on going!' 'Even though your team were losing in that game, you didn't give up!' 

2. Be a role model - How often do you say 'I can't do it' or 'I'm terrible at this'? Sending the right message and being a role model can be so powerful! Being hopeful and being positive about yourself and your own ability can really help your child to recognise positive things about themselves. 

3. Encourage your child to not always take the easy route - Embrace challenges! Encouraging children to try something new or step out of their comfort zone can be a great thing! It is an opportunity for learning or maybe discovering a new talent. 

4. Growth mindset isn't always academic - Encourage your child to keep going with something they're finding tricky. It could be a sport, playing a musical instrument or drawing something difficult. Breaking something down into small steps can help guide your child through tough feelings of not being good enough at something. 

5. Try not to compare - children often look to their peers and may experience feelings on inadequacy if they feel someone can do something better than they can. Skills can come more easily to some than others but reminding children that we all have different strengths can help. Encouraging practice, persistence and hard work can lead to achievement!