A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and abilities can improve through effort and learning. This mindset contrasts with a fixed mindset, where abilities are seen as unchangeable.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population.
What is a growth mindset?
A growth mindset is an idea from Stanford psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck. She introduced it in her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. It’s the belief that you can get smarter and better at skills through hard work and learning. This is different from a fixed mindset, which thinks intelligence is set in stone. Dweck found that how students view their abilities affects their motivation and success. Research shows students with a fixed mindset don’t activate their brains when they make mistakes. In contrast, those with a growth mindset do, seeing mistakes as chances to learn.
Practical strategies for homeschoolers
- Praise effort, not intelligence. Replace "You're so smart!" with "You must have worked really hard!" Kids praised for effort stick with challenges longer.
- Use the power of 'yet.' Change "I can't do this" to "I can't do this yet."
- Model a growth mindset. Let your kids see you take on challenges and learn from mistakes.
- Normalize struggle. Tell them, "This challenging problem means your brain is getting stronger!"
- Ask reflective questions. Questions like "What worked well?" or "What did you learn from that mistake?" can help.
Why homeschooling is ideal
Homeschooling is great for building a growth mindset. With one-on-one teaching, you can give personalized feedback. You set the pace, so kids can take their time on tough topics without pressure. Home is a safe space for struggling without peer judgment. Kids can take risks and grow at their own speed. Plus, you can quickly spot fixed mindset triggers and address them right away. Many homeschooling families find that a growth mindset becomes the foundation for their learning.
The bottom line
A growth mindset changes how kids see their potential. Instead of seeing struggles as limits, they learn to view them as part of growth. Homeschooling's flexible setup is perfect for nurturing this view. Use growth-focused language, normalize mistakes, praise the process, and show a growth mindset in your actions. The goal is more than just academic success; it’s about raising resilient kids who embrace challenges. Research backs this up, but it’s your effort that makes it happen in your family.
