As parents and educators, one of the most important character qualities we can help fashion within the lives of our children is perseverance. Of course, we never want our children to fail. However, not only is failure inevitable, failure can also provide the keys to future success. As C.S. Lewis penned, “Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success.” Learning to grow through failure is key to our child’s future success.
So, how do we encourage our children to have determination? How do we teach them to never give up?
Research has found that one of the keys to having grit and perseverance is having what Dr. Carol Dweck calls a “growth mindset.” Dweck, from Stanford University, has led much of the research over the course of the past few decades. Her research has helped pinpoint a radical difference between having a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. A fixed mindset views levels of intelligence, athletic ability and creativity as being stagnant no matter the amount of effort or perseverance. Conversely, those with a growth mindset believe that with effort, focus and determination, levels of intelligence, athletic ability and creativity can greatly improve.
There are drastically-differing results between these opposing mindsets. Studies show that a growth mindset leads to higher levels of academic achievement. A growth mindset also leads to stronger levels of grit and perseverance while simultaneously decreasing levels of unhealthy anxiety.
Thankfully, research has repeatedly confirmed that those with a fixed mindset can learn how to have a growth mindset. First, parents and educators should be intentional to create a loving and supportive environment. Second, we should encourage children by praising them when they have displayed strong levels of effort and “stick-with-it-ness.” The focus on effort rather than on levels of intelligence can greatly encourage a growth mindset.
Dr. Northrop is assistant principal at Legacy Christian Academy and adjunct professor at Pepperdine University.
Legacy Christian Academy is located at 27680 Dickason Drive in Valencia. For more information, please call 661-257-7377 and visit www.legacy-christian.com.