G is for Growth Mindset

At Tik Tak Childcare, we believe every child is full of potential — not because they know everything already, but because they are learning every single day. That’s why we nurture something called a growth mindset from the very beginning of each child’s journey.

But what exactly is a growth mindset, and why does it matter in early years?

What is a growth mindset?

The term “growth mindset” was coined by psychologist Carol Dweck. It’s the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed over time — through effort, learning, and persistence.

In contrast, a “fixed mindset” assumes that people are born with certain abilities, and that they can’t change much. For example, a child with a fixed mindset might say, “I’m just not good at puzzles.” A child with a growth mindset might say, “This puzzle is hard, but I can get better at it.”

Why it matters in early childhood

The early years are a perfect time to introduce the concept of effort, resilience and joy in learning. Children are naturally curious — but they’re also sensitive to feedback. How adults respond to mistakes, challenges or successes shapes how children see themselves as learners.

At Tik Tak Childcare in Milton Keynes, we help children develop a growth mindset by:

• Praising effort, not just outcomes – We say “You tried so hard!” instead of “You’re so smart.”

• Normalising mistakes – Getting things wrong is part of learning. We celebrate “trying again.”

• Encouraging problem-solving – We guide children to think, explore and ask “What else could I try?”

• Modelling positive thinking – Our team uses open language: “Let’s figure it out together.”

• Creating a safe environment – Children feel comfortable to take risks without fear of failure.

Growth mindset in everyday nursery life

In our day nursery environment, you’ll see growth mindset in action during:

• A toddler stacking blocks that keep falling, but not giving up

• A preschooler learning to zip their coat and proudly saying, “I did it!”

• Children collaborating on a painting, adjusting when things don’t go as planned

• Practitioners supporting frustration with calm words and encouraging persistence

We also support bilingual children and those new to nursery by reminding them that learning takes time, and effort matters more than speed.

Supporting growth mindset at home

You can encourage your child’s growth mindset at home with simple strategies:

• Use phrases like: “You’re learning,” “Keep trying,” or “It’s okay to make mistakes.”

• Share your own learning moments — let them see you try, struggle, and succeed.

• Celebrate progress, not perfection.

• Avoid labelling your child (“You’re the clever one,” “You’re the messy one”) — instead, focus on choices and effort.

At Tik Tak, we work in partnership with families to help children develop not just skills, but confidence, curiosity and resilience — qualities that will support them long after nursery.