Growth mindset: what it means and how we live it at the School of Tomorrow
"When you switch from a static to a dynamic mindset, a whole new world of possibilities opens up to you."
At the School of Tomorrow, we are convinced that children's attitude to learning is just as important as what they learn. That is why the growth mindset is an integral part of our everyday teaching.
What is a growth mindset?
A growth mindset (dynamic self-image) is the belief that skills and intelligence can be developed through effort, perseverance and continuous learning. Children (and adults!) with a growth mindset know that talents and skills can grow over time through commitment and hard work.
They see challenges as opportunities for further development, regard mistakes as a natural part of the learning process and do not give up immediately in the event of setbacks. This mindset promotes lifelong learning, resilience and a positive attitude towards new experiences.
In contrast to this is the fixed mindset (static self-image), which assumes that intelligence and abilities are unchangeable. People with this mindset believe that their talents are innate - you either have them or you don't. They tend to avoid challenges, give up more quickly when faced with difficulties and see effort as a sign of weakness. They often avoid tasks where they might fail because they see mistakes as evidence of a lack of ability - rather than as learning opportunities.
Growth mindset and education: Why is it so important?
These mindsets have a significant influence on how children learn at school and deal with challenges. A child with a growth mindset might say when faced with a difficult math problem: "This is hard, but if I keep practicing, I'll get better." They see the task as an opportunity to learn something new. A child with a fixed mindset, on the other hand, might think: "I'm just bad at math" and give up after a few attempts - in the belief that it can't be changed anyway.
Another example: A child is learning to read. When he comes across a difficult book, he thinks with a growth mindset: "I can't do this yet, but I can practise and get better." They focus on their progress. A child with a fixed mindset may avoid challenging books because they think: "I'm a slow reader and nothing will change that." As a result, they limit themselves.
A common effect in children with a fixed mindset is that they avoid major challenges - for fear of failing and thereby showing their "inability". Perfection becomes a mask and the fear of being "exposed" blocks the learning process. Paradoxically, this often affects particularly high-achieving students if they are only praised for their results. That's why at the School of Tomorrow we consciously focus on the path to the goal: on practice, trial and error, making mistakes, asking questions and, first and foremost, on effort over results.
How is the growth mindset practiced at the School of Tomorrow?
For us, the growth mindset is more than just a pedagogical concept - it shapes our daily interactions and everyday teaching. We teach the children that mistakes are a valuable part of the learning process and that curiosity, perseverance and effort strengthen our brains.
We integrate a growth mindset into our daily communication with the children, encourage reflection and support them in their individual problem-solving process. We pay attention to a conscious choice of words and use positive, effort-oriented language. We celebrate strategies, progress and commitment - not just results. We often hear phrases such as: "You tried really hard!", "I saw that you didn't give up." or "You can't do it yet."
This little word "yet" has a big impact: it makes it clear that learning takes time - and that skills grow through practice.
We regularly create space for reflection - individually and as a group. These discussions strengthen the children's self-confidence and make it clear that everyone learns at their own pace and in their own way.
What does this look like in everyday life?
Here are some examples of how we anchor the growth mindset in everyday school and kindergarten life:
Individual and group discussions in which children reflect on challenges or successes
Individual objectives where children define what they want to work on and grow
Story-based discussions that focus on perseverance, error-friendliness and the joy of learning
Daily feedback that focuses on the learning process and effort, not perfection
Self-awareness exercises in which children learn to name and understand their feelings and experiences
Team activities and games where children are encouraged to support and motivate each other