What is Mindset and Why Does it Count? 10 Top Tips for Children and Parents

When it comes to learning, mindset counts just as much as skill or knowledge. Children who believe they can grow and improve are more likely to persevere, enjoy the process of learning, and achieve more in the long run.

At Mindset Counts, we combine academic skills with the power of mindset and metacognition - helping children develop confidence alongside their reading and maths. But what exactly is “mindset,” and why does it count so much?

What is Mindset?

The term mindset refers to the attitudes and beliefs we hold about our abilities. Psychologist Carol Dweck’s research popularised the ideas of:

• Fixed mindset = the belief that intelligence and ability are unchangeable (“I’m just not good at maths”).

• Growth mindset = the belief that intelligence and ability can be developed with effort, practice, and the right strategies (“I can’t do this yet, but I’ll improve”).

  
  

Children (and adults!) with a growth mindset approach challenges differently. They see mistakes as learning opportunities, persist when things get hard, and build resilience for the future.

Why Does Mindset Count in Education?

A child’s mindset shapes how they:

• Approach challenges = whether they lean in or back away.

• Respond to mistakes = whether they give up or try again.

• View effort = whether they see it as worthwhile or pointless.

  
  

Research shows that cultivating a growth mindset improves motivation, achievement, and wellbeing. For KS2 children, this can make a real difference in subjects like maths and reading, where confidence often plays a huge role.

10 Top Tips for Building a Mindset That Counts

Here are ten practical tips for children and parents to help develop a growth mindset at home and in the classroom.

1. Believe That You Can Improve

Brains are like muscles: the more you use them, the stronger they get. Encourage your child to see learning as a journey rather than a destination.

👉 Parent tip: Praise effort and progress (“You worked hard on that problem!”) instead of just results (“You’re so smart”).

2. Embrace Challenges

It’s natural to want to avoid tricky tasks, but challenges are where the real growth happens.

👉 Parent tip: When your child struggles, remind them: “This feels hard because your brain is stretching.”

3. Learn From Mistakes

Mistakes aren’t failures they’re feedback. Each one shows us what we can try differently next time.

👉 Parent tip: Share your own mistakes and what you learned from them. Children learn resilience by watching adults model it.

4. Use the Power of “Yet”

“I can’t do this” becomes “I can’t do this yet.” That small word changes everything, turning a fixed statement into one full of possibility.

👉 Parent tip: Write a family “yet list” - skills everyone is still learning but determined to master.

5. Replace Negative Self-Talk

Our inner voice shapes our actions. Help children swap unhelpful thoughts (“I’m rubbish at reading”) with encouraging ones (“I’m practising reading every day, and I’m getting better”).

👉 Parent tip: Create a positive phrases jar filled with affirmations children can pull out when they need encouragement.

6. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results

Children thrive when effort is noticed. Hard work, persistence, and creativity count just as much as a test score.

👉 Parent tip: At the dinner table, ask: “What did you work hard on today?” rather than “What did you get right?”

7. Ask for Help

A growth mindset means recognising when to seek support. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

👉 Parent tip: Model this at home. If you don’t know something, say: “Let’s figure it out together.”

8. Be Curious and Keep Learning

Curiosity keeps the brain active. Encourage children to ask “why” and “how,” and show them that learning isn’t limited to school.

👉 Parent tip: Try a “curiosity journal” where your child writes down one question each day to research together.

9. Surround Yourself with Positivity

The people children spend time with influence their mindset. Positive, encouraging environments boost resilience and self-belief.

👉 Parent tip: Talk openly about effort, persistence, and kindness, not just achievements.

10. Reflect and Self-Regulate

Metacognition, thinking about how you learn, is powerful. When children reflect on strategies that worked or didn’t, they become more independent learners.

👉 Parent tip: After homework, ask: “What strategy helped you today?” or “What will you try differently next time?”

Final Thoughts

Mindset counts because it shapes how children face challenges, cope with setbacks, and build confidence for the future. Whether it’s tackling a tricky maths problem or diving into a new book, a growth mindset equips children with the tools to keep going.

At Mindset Counts, we believe that combining academic skills with mindset coaching helps children unlock their potential and enjoy the journey of learning along the way.

✨ Want to support your child further?

• Explore our Reading Skills Course for KS2 children.

• Join the waiting list for our upcoming Maths Mastery Pathway.

• Subscribe to our newsletter for more mindset tips and learning strategies.