Teaching your students to develop a growth mindset can help them to face challenges in learning and life with more confidence. It can help students view making mistakes as an opportunity to reflect and do things in a different way. Using picture books to teach growth mindset is an awesome way to introduce this way of thinking to your students.
Just like with learning anything new, learning about growth mindset took some time for me to understand and start applying in my professional and personal life. Going from having a fixed mindset to a growth mindset requires adjustment in one’s self-talk, patterns of thinking, and actions.
Picture Books for Growth Mindset?
The first time I learned about growth mindset, I was intrigued and excited because I saw so many benefits to having a growth mindset in my personal life and professional life. I was eager to teach my students about it, too.
But how could I do this in a simple way?
How in the world do you teach it to young students?
Enter one of my favourite ways of teaching big ideas to my students: picture books.
My Three Favourites!
I am going to share three of my personal favourite books that can help you talk about growth mindset with your students. Each time I read these books to a class, they often refer back to the stories when they find themselves going through a learning struggle or thinking of doing something in a different way. Picture books are simply the best!
Click here for a simple Growth Mindset template.
Why Picture Books?
Reading picture books to young students about growth mindset helps them build an understanding. Once young readers have a baseline to refer to in their mind, then it’s easier for them to grasp the concepts we wish to help them develop and learn.
Also read: How Will I Grow My Brain Today?
Book #1
When Sophie Thinks She Can’t (Written and Illustrated by Molly Bang)
Sophie is a young student who knows what she can do well, yet she also knows that a certain subject is really difficult for her. At the start of the story, she struggles to complete a challenging task at home. Some unkind words from her sister discourage her and she feels like giving up. At school, her teacher presents a math challenge to the class. Sophie has a hard time believing that she can figure it out. She soon discovers that struggling through difficult tasks can lead her to believe in herself, feel more open to solving problems in different ways, and see the benefits of persevering.
This is a book that my students have asked to hear over and over again, year after year! I recently had a past student remind me of “that growth mindset” book that we read back in the day!
Click here to purchase this book! *non-affiliate / unsponsored link*
Book #2
Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It (Written by JoAnn Deak, PhD, Illustrated by Sarah Ackerley)
This book is simply put, fantastic! This text helps readers learn about the parts of the brain and how the brain works. It shares some great examples of how to make your brain “grow”. I like how the book explains that making mistakes helps us to learn and grow our brain. This book is a great one for young students, as well as people of all ages who want to learn about the brain and growth mindset.
Click here to purchase this book! *non-affiliate / unsponsored link*
Book #3
The Dot (Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds)
Vashti is not confident in her drawing abilities. With some gentle encouragement from her teacher, she tries to draw something. Vashti soon becomes curious about drawing in a multitude of different ways.
This story is a class favourite. When I read this story this past year, I was so pleased when my students recognized that the main character had a fixed mindset (e.g., thinking she couldn’t do something) then developed a growth mindset (e.g., believing that one can reflect on their learning or mistakes and grow from them).
Click here to purchase this book! *non-affiliate / unsponsored link*
Picture Books for the Win!
In conclusion, using picture books is an amazing way to help students understand key concepts and big ideas. The three books shared above are my own personal favourites for introducing Growth Mindset to my students. What books have you used to teach Growth Mindset?
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