In my years as a teacher, helping students develop a growth mindset was one of my favorite parts of the classroom experience. We’d gather for a morning meeting every morning, setting the tone for a day of curiosity and learning. I encouraged my students to see “I don’t know…yet” as an open door, a moment to explore and discover together. We used this phrase as a foundation, embracing each question or challenge as a step toward growth.
Each lesson began with a clear learning target—a specific goal that gave our curiosity a direction. By the end of the lesson, we would return to that target, checking in to see how much our brains had grown. And every time, my students would realize that what had once been unknown was now within their reach. This routine was a powerful, hands-on way to reinforce the value of growth and effort, showing my students that their abilities could expand with perseverance and curiosity.
In this blog post, I’ll share some practical ways parents can foster this same growth mindset at home, turning curiosity into a journey of learning and resilience. Whether saying, “I don’t know, let’s find out,” or celebrating a child’s effort over outcomes, these strategies help build a mindset that empowers kids to embrace challenges and recognize their potential.
Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: Why Curiosity is Essential for Learning
In today’s fast-changing world, the skills needed for success go far beyond memorizing facts and formulas; adaptability, curiosity, and a love for learning are essential. This is where a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset plays a critical role. A growth mindset, a term popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck, is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort, learning, and perseverance. In contrast, a fixed mindset assumes that abilities and intelligence are static traits—qualities that you’re either born with or not.
Curiosity is at the heart of a growth mindset. When children are curious, they’re naturally driven to explore, ask questions, and seek knowledge. They see learning as a journey rather than something that requires being “right” or “perfect.” By encouraging curiosity, parents can foster a growth mindset that builds their children’s confidence, adaptability, and resilience. However, in a fixed mindset, children may fear looking “unintelligent” if they don’t know the answer, which stifles their natural curiosity and willingness to explore.
Take, for example, a child who encounters a difficult math problem. A child with a fixed mindset might think, “I’m just not good at math,” and avoid asking questions or trying different strategies. They may believe that intelligence is set and that struggling with a problem is a sign of failure. However, with a growth mindset, the same child might view the challenge as a puzzle to solve, thinking, “I may not understand this now, but with effort, I can improve.” This willingness to try—and to stay curious even when things aren’t immediately apparent—leads to a richer, more fulfilling learning experience.
The phrase “mindset is everything” captures the importance of this approach. When parents and caregivers nurture a growth mindset, they equip children with the tools to embrace uncertainty and treat “I don’t know” as an exciting starting point rather than a dead-end. By modeling and encouraging curiosity, parents help their children develop a love for learning that goes beyond school and prepares them for lifelong personal and intellectual growth.
By fostering curiosity, parents can help children see that learning is about exploration and discovery. With a growth mindset, children understand that challenges aren’t obstacles but opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow—a mindset that will serve them well in all aspects of life.
Modeling a Growth Mindset for Kids: Embracing “I Don’t Know”
Children look to adults to understand how to respond to challenges, especially when they don’t have immediate answers. By modeling a growth mindset—embracing “I don’t know” as a starting point rather than a failure—parents can encourage their children to see uncertainty as a natural and valuable part of learning.
When children hear adults confidently say, “I don’t know, let’s find out,” it sends a powerful message: not knowing something is normal, and learning is a continuous process. Rather than avoiding difficult questions or pretending to know, parents can show that curiosity and willingness to learn are more important than immediate answers. This approach helps children internalize that learning is not about being “right” all the time but about exploring, asking questions, and taking steps to understand new things.
Consider, for example, a situation where a child asks a challenging science question, such as “Why do stars twinkle?” A parent modeling a growth mindset might respond, “That’s a great question! I’m unsure, but let’s look it up together.” By inviting the child into the discovery process, the parent demonstrates that learning is a shared adventure. This simple act encourages the child to stay curious and reminds them that their questions are valuable.
In addition to openly admitting when we don’t know something, parents can model curiosity by expressing genuine excitement when learning something new. Whether reading an interesting fact or figuring out how something works, showing enthusiasm for discovery reinforces that “I don’t know” is simply the first step to knowledge.
Practical Ways to Model a Growth Mindset
- Use “I Don’t Know” Moments as Learning Opportunities
- The next time your child asks something you’re unsure of, let them see your curiosity. Say something like, “Hmm, I don’t know the answer, but I’d love to find out. Do you want to look it up together?” This makes learning collaborative and shows your child that everyone—even adults—is always learning.
- Ask Questions Out Loud
- As you encounter new information, ask questions out loud. For example, if you’re reading a book together and come across an unfamiliar term, say something like, “I wonder what this word means.” Then, explore it together. Modeling your questions encourages children to ask theirs, fostering an environment where curiosity is welcomed and celebrated.
- Share Learning Challenges You’ve Overcome
- Telling stories about times you faced a learning challenge, especially ones you found difficult, helps children see that everyone struggles but can grow with effort. This could be as simple as sharing how you learned to use a new tool or once struggled with math concepts. These examples show children that not knowing is part of the journey.
By consistently modeling a growth mindset, parents show children that “I don’t know” is not a weakness but an invitation to learn. When children see that their parents are open to new ideas, willing to ask questions, and unafraid of admitting what they don’t know, they learn to approach learning with curiosity and resilience. This mindset is a foundation that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Growth Mindset Examples: Turning Curiosity into Learning Moments
Encouraging a growth mindset means helping children see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Parents can support this mindset by creating learning moments that turn curiosity into meaningful exploration. By doing so, children learn that questions—even tough ones—are valuable, and they start to see “I don’t know” as a positive starting point for discovery. Here are some practical ways to turn curiosity into learning moments for kids.
1. Explore Together: Make “I Don’t Know” an Adventure
- Exploring answers together is one of the simplest and most impactful ways to model a growth mindset. When your child asks a question that stumps you, respond with something like, “I’m not sure, but I’d love to find out with you!” This approach conveys that learning is a shared, ongoing journey and that it’s perfectly okay not to have all the answers.
- For example, if your child asks why leaves change color in the fall, suggest looking up a video or reading an article about it together. This collaborative effort reinforces that learning doesn’t stop at school and that curiosity can lead to fun discoveries.
2. Encourage “What if” Questions to Spark Curiosity
- Inviting “what if” questions is a fantastic way to encourage children to think creatively and explore possibilities. This engages them in imaginative thinking and reinforces the concept that there’s no single “right” answer to everything.
- For instance, ask questions like, “What if animals could talk? What do you think they would say?” or “What if the moon were closer to Earth?” These open-ended questions invite your child to brainstorm, hypothesize, and wonder without the pressure of being correct. This helps to create a safe space where curiosity and creativity thrive.
3. Praise Effort and Exploration, Not Just Results
- A key element of the growth mindset is focusing on the process of learning rather than the outcome. When a child completes a task, ask questions encouraging them to reflect on what they learned: “What was the most interesting part?” or “Was there anything you found challenging?”
- For example, if your child is building something with blocks, emphasize their problem-solving process rather than just the final product: “I noticed you tried a few different ways to balance those blocks. That’s great thinking!” Recognizing their efforts and strategies, you help them value persistence and experimentation.
4. Turn Mistakes into Learning Opportunities
- Mistakes are a natural part of learning and a prime opportunity to reinforce a growth mindset. When your child makes a mistake, help them see it as a chance to grow instead of something to be avoided. Acknowledge the mistake, and then work together to figure out what can be learned from it.
- For example, if they forget to water a plant and it wilts, use the moment to discuss what the plant needs to thrive and how they might remember to water it next time. This approach reinforces responsibility and teaches that setbacks are a valuable part of learning.
Reinforcing a Growth Mindset with Praise: Why Mindset is Everything
How parents praise children plays a huge role in shaping a growth mindset. When praise focuses on effort, strategy, and resilience rather than fixed traits like intelligence, it teaches kids that learning comes from hard work and persistence. Here’s how to use praise effectively to reinforce a growth mindset.
1. Focus on Effort Over Outcome
- Instead of saying, “You’re so smart,” try, “I’m proud of how hard you worked on that!” This shifts the focus from talent to effort, showing kids that success comes from what they put into the process, not just natural ability.
2. Praise Problem-Solving and Perseverance
- Recognize when children try new approaches or stick with a challenge. For example, “I noticed you didn’t give up, even when it got tough—that’s amazing!” This teaches them that overcoming obstacles is valuable and builds confidence in their ability to improve.
3. Acknowledge Curiosity and Risk-Taking
- Encourage kids to explore, even if it means making mistakes. Praise questions they ask or risks they take: “That’s a great question! I love how curious you are.” This reinforces that curiosity is a strength and learning is about discovery, not perfection.
4. Highlight Progress and Growth
- Remind kids of how far they’ve come by celebrating improvements, big or small. Comments like, “Look at how much you’ve learned!” or “You’re getting better every day!” help kids focus on growth over time, a core principle of a growth mindset.
By reinforcing a growth mindset through specific praise, parents can help kids understand that mindset is everything regarding learning and improvement. This way, children learn to value the growth journey and the power of their efforts.
Key Takeaways: Encouraging a Growth Mindset Through Curiosity
Let’s highlight the main points we covered in this article on fostering a growth mindset in kids. By embracing curiosity, modeling a love for learning, and celebrating effort over perfection, parents can help their children see challenges as opportunities to grow. Here’s a quick summary of the key takeaways for encouraging curiosity and resilience in young learners:
- Curiosity as a Foundation for Learning
- Embracing curiosity helps children adopt a growth mindset, where “I don’t know” becomes a valuable start to exploration and discovery.
- Modeling a Growth Mindset
- Parents can set an example by showing excitement to learn, asking questions, and approaching unknowns with their children.
- Turning Curiosity into Learning Moments
- Simple actions like exploring answers together and celebrating questions encourage kids to see learning as a journey rather than focusing only on results.
- Reinforcing Growth Through Praise
- Praising effort, problem-solving, and resilience over fixed traits helps children understand that learning comes from persistence and curiosity.
By using these strategies, parents can foster a growth mindset that empowers kids to embrace challenges, stay curious, and recognize their capacity for growth.
