Life is a rollercoaster of highs and lows. When things get tough, it’s easy to feel discouraged. We might even be tempted to simply give up, it’s even harder for children when the world around them already feels huge.

It’s during these times, our little ones need our praise, encouragement and support, to foster a growth mindset to keep them developing and exploring. 

Mindset is a simple idea discovered by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck through decades of research on achievement and success. Here are some ways we can help our children to thrive, when they feel like giving up.

1. Praise the process
   Teach them to aim high and praise the learning process and the effort he or she puts into a task, not just the outcome itself. Feedback like, “You worked so hard!” or “That seemed tough but you really stuck with it!” are some examples of how to praise the process. This gives your child a sense of accomplishment about their perseverance in the process. Studies have shown that when parents used “process praise” like this with children who were between ages 1 to 3 years-old, the children were more likely to continue to have a growth mindset.
   
2. Celebrate mistakes
   Kids love to learn, and teaching them can help them see why it’s great to have a growth mindset. One of the best ways you can model a growth mindset is to speak openly about the mistakes that you’ve made in your life, and what you’ve learned from them. Speak positively to your children about your mistakes and struggles, and this will show them that taking risks and making mistakes are a natural part of the learning process.
   
3. Encourage resilience
   By encouraging your child to be resilient and not to give up, you are building their confidence even when they find something difficult or frustrating. Ask your little one, if there’s something new they would like to try, then help them go for it. If they struggle at first, encourage them to be persistent and watch their confidence build as they see their skills grow.