7 Steps to Growing a Growth Mindset in Math!

Have you ever had parents tell you that they were "no good at math" and are not surprised that their children are struggling or are surprised that they are doing well?  Thinking that only certain people are innately destined to do well in math is a myth.  It is part of a 'fixed mindset" -- believing that your abilities and intelligence are set in stone and cannot change.

But the truth is that math can be fun, exciting, and rewarding for everyone, as long as you have the right mindset and approach. A growth mindset is the opposite of a fixed mindset. It means believing that you can improve through hard work, dedication, and persistence. With a growth mindset, you can face math challenges with a positive attitude, learn from your mistakes, and develop a passion for learning that can benefit you in all areas of your life.

This is similar to what the new Ontario Math Curriculum 2020 Strand A expects from students: to use social-emotional learning skills "to help every student develop confidence, cope with challenges, think critically, and develop a positive identity as a math learner."

Here are some tips and strategies for fostering a growth mindset in math for primary grades:

1. Praise Effort: Instead of just praising the results, praise the effort and hard work that students put into solving math problems. Recognize their progress and their willingness to take on challenges, even if they don’t always get the “right answer”. Focus on the process and what they did to get to their solution. Often, it only takes some minor adjustments to correct their errors.

2. Learn from Mistakes: Instead of seeing mistakes as failures, see them as opportunities to learn and grow. Discuss mistakes openly in class, and encourage students to reflect on what they can learn from them. I would intentionally make mistakes in class and explain that that was how I learned. Eventually, my students would say “That’s okay, now we can learn more!” when they or another student made a mistake.

3. Set Goals: Encourage students to set goals for themselves, both short-term and long-term, and to track their progress towards these goals. Celebrate their achievements, and help them to see how their hard work and dedication pay off. In every classroom, students are at different levels and so must their goals. Start with an “I can…” statement, what they can do right now. Then add a “My next step is to…” statement. This gives them something specific to work on that is achievable. 

4. Use Positive Language: Use positive language when talking about math, and avoid negative comments or stereotypes about math ability. Encourage students to see math as a fun and challenging subject that they can excel in. Studies have shown that when teachers enjoy teaching math, their students will, too. I would start each lesson off with “This is one of my favourite things to do in math." and then at the end of the lesson say "Now, wasn't that fun?"  And it worked!  My students loved math because I did.

5. Collaborate with Peers: Let students work together and talk about math while solving problems. This helps them to clarify their thinking and learn from each other’s perspectives. Problems are the group’s responsibility, not just one person’s. This creates a safe environment where students are more likely to take risks with their learning and build confidence in their own abilities. 

6. Use Growth Mindset Language: Use language that promotes a growth mindset, such as “yet,” “progress,” and “improvement,” and avoid language that reinforces a fixed mindset, such as “can’t” or “never.”

7. Celebrate Diversity: Celebrate the diversity of your students’ backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and encourage them to share their unique approaches to solving math problems. This can help to create a positive classroom environment that fosters a growth mindset in math.  I remember one student who struggled with memory issues but was able to figure out how to add and subtract 2-digit numbers using a 0-30 number line.  Because we focused on using different strategies instead of getting the "right answer", she was encouraged to create one that worked for her.

Fostering a growth mindset in math for primary grades can help students to approach math challenges with confidence, curiosity, and resilience. By praising effort, learning from mistakes, setting goals, using positive language, collaborating with peers, using growth mindset language, and celebrating diversity, you can help your students to develop a love for learning and a positive attitude toward math that can last a lifetime.