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Time

5-10 minutes

Level

Primary / Junior / Intermediate

Material

N/A

Purpose

To help students adopt a growth mindset when faced with challenges

  • Whenever students encounter challenges, remind them of the power of yet! Reframe any negative self-talk that you hear, and replace the student’s statements with a more optimistic, growth perspective.
    • I can’t do that… yet.
    • I don’t understand… yet.
  • Watch for students using “yet” language and reinforce them for taking this learning stance.

Video: Carol Dweck – Power of Yet, TEDxNorrköping

Read: The Little Engine That Could (Piper, W) and/or stories of professional athletes who use visualizations

 

  • Consider using ‘the power of yet’ posters or other visuals around the classroom.
  • Could be used to encourage collaboration and empathy for individual differences.
  • This practice may be helpful when introducing new skills and concepts.
  • Teaching the concept of growth mindset in the classroom before introducing this practice may be helpful.

Taking a growth mindset appears to be a helpful tool for facing challenges. It provides a space for learning through difficulties, and for thriving in spite of hurdles (Dweck 2006; Dweck, 2008). Though the evidence base is young in this area, encouraging a growth mindset seems to hold promise for reframing negative life events and inspiring positive action.

Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House Incorporated.

Dweck, C. S. (2008). Mindsets and Math. Science Achievement, 2, 1-1.

Using examples from Scripture, we can witness how people throughout the gospels have had to persevere through challenges. We are called to know that God is with us in our struggles and working with us to overcome them.

(3b) A reflective and creative thinker who creates, adapts, evaluates new ideas in light of the common good.

Problem solving and innovating: to explore the world through natural curiosity