You may have heard of renowned Stanford professor and brain researcher Carol Dweck, who coined the term growth mindset.
"If parents want to give their child a gift, the best thing they can do is teach them to love challenges, embrace mistakes, enjoy effort, and keep learning."
— Carol Dweck, Professor of Psychology, Stanford University
What is a growth mindset?
The belief that you can develop your skills through practice, the right strategies, and the support of others.
Studies by US psychologist Carol Dweck show that children who believe they can learn through practice and effort often achieve more than children who view their abilities as fixed. Those with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities, venture out of their comfort zone, and remain motivated—even when something doesn't work out right away.
According to Dweck, the difference between a child who thrives and one who struggles often lies in their mindset.
Why is this so important?
🔥 Children with a growth mindset learn faster, more sustainably and with more joy.
🔥 Those who understand that the brain grows when it is challenged develop better academic performance – especially in challenging situations.
🔥 Qualities such as perseverance, self-regulation and social behavior are strengthened.
🔥 Children with a growth mindset often have better self-esteem, are less anxious, and are less likely to be aggressive.
How EDURINO strengthens a growth mindset
At EDURINO, the growth mindset is central. Our learning environments offer children a safe space where mistakes are allowed and even welcomed! We encourage children to try things out, and our characters encourage them with phrases like "Great try!" or "That's not quite right – try again!"
Our games focus on the learning process rather than on right or wrong. Every week, we test our learning environments with children in daycare centers and schools. Educators repeatedly report that children become braver and more confident with EDURINO than in traditional classrooms.
Game-based learning helps to reduce the fear of making mistakes – a fear that accompanies many children in their everyday school life.
How can you help your child develop a growth mindset?
👉 Use the word "still".
A small word with a big impact! Children who integrate this into their thinking experience real progress:
❌ “I can’t do this.”
✔ “I can’t do that yet.”
❌ “I’m not good at math.”
✔ “I’m not good at math yet.”
This signals: skills are not fixed – they develop!
👉 Praise the process, not just the result.
Instead of saying "Great, you scored a goal!", you can say:
✨ “I’m proud of how much you’ve moved and how you’ve stuck with it!”
✨ “The game was pretty difficult, but you didn’t give up – well done!”
This strengthens the motivation to continue to strive.
👉 Be a role model.
Children learn most through observation. Show your child that you, too, embrace challenges:
💡 Try a new recipe.
💡 Tell us how you deal with mistakes.
💡 Learn something new together with your child.
If you lead by example and talk openly about challenges, your child will learn to be just as brave!
Conclusion
A growth mindset is a true gift for life. It helps children see challenges as opportunities, remain courageous, and learn with joy. At EDURINO, we value precisely this – playfully, with joy, and without fear of making mistakes.
So, what are you waiting for? Let your child discover that learning is fun! 🚀💡
Brigid is a primary school teacher with over ten years of experience in public and private schools. She specializes in early childhood education and working with neurodiverse children.
