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Growth Mindset

Boosting Children’s Self-Esteem During Summer Break

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Boosting Children’s Self-Esteem During Summer Break

written by Yanet Vanegas Psy.D. , posted on Psychology Today

Summer break is not only a time for relaxation and fun but also an excellent opportunity to work on boosting children’s self-esteem. With the right activities and mindset, parents and caregivers can help children develop a strong sense of self-worth and confidence that will benefit them throughout their lives.

1. Encourage Exploration and New Experiences

  • Encourage children to try new activities or hobbies they’ve been curious about. Whether it’s learning a new sport, trying a new craft, or exploring nature, each new experience can build confidence as children discover their capabilities.
  • Support their efforts and provide positive reinforcement, focusing on the process rather than just the outcome. Praise their effort, creativity, and perseverance, regardless of the result.

2. Foster Independence

  • Give children age-appropriate responsibilities and opportunities to make decisions. Whether it’s planning a picnic, managing a small budget for a summer project, or taking care of a pet, allowing children to take on responsibilities helps them develop confidence in their abilities.
  • Offer guidance and support when needed, but allow them the freedom to learn from their mistakes and grow from the experience.

3. Cultivate Positive Self-Talk

  • Teach children the power of positive self-talk by modeling it yourself and encouraging them to do the same. Help them identify and challenge negative thoughts or self-doubt by reframing them in a more positive light.
  • Encourage them to practice affirmations or create a “positivity journal” in which they can write down things they like about themselves or achievements they’re proud of.
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5+ Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset Using Grit & Resilience

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5+ Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset Using Grit & Resilience

by Kori D. Miller, posted on Positive Psychology

When was the last time you showed resilience?

How about grit?

It has been several years since Angela Duckworth’s TED talk catapulted these two traits into our everyday vernacular and still more since the dawn of Carol Dweck’s fixed versus growth mindset research. What have we learned?

When we demonstrate grit or are described as gritty, it is because we have had the resilience to push ourselves over, through, around, and sometimes under obstacles. How do people learn to do this?

Are people born with grit? According to research from Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, and Kelly (2007), grit is a question of nature and nurture, not one or the other. For people to develop grit, they need to cultivate a growth mindset.

Before you read on, we thought you might like to download our three Resilience Exercises for free. These engaging, science-based exercises will help you to develop grit and effectively deal with difficult circumstances, and give you the tools to improve the resilience of your clients, students, or employees.

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