Imagine a world where every challenge is an opportunity for growth, where failure is just a stepping stone towards success, and where “I can’t” transforms into “I can’t do it yet.” This world exists, and it’s called the “Power of Yet.”
Keep reading to learn about some strategies for introducing and nurturing the Power of Yet in your young learners. The goal is to help our young students develop resilience and a growth mindset that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Foster a Growth Mindset Through Praise
Begin by praising their efforts and strategies instead of their innate abilities. Encourage them to see that their intelligence and abilities can grow over time through hard work and perseverance. For example, instead of saying, “You’re so smart,” say, “I can see you worked really hard on that.”
Let’s be honest – we all love praise and science shows it has lasting effects!
The Magic Word: “Yet”
Teach them the power of the word “yet.” When they say, “I can’t do it,” add “yet” at the end: “You can’t do it yet!”
This simple addition shifts their perspective from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. It implies that with time and effort, they can achieve their goals.
Here are a few of my favorite resources for the Power of Yet:
Power of Yet Song
We start our conversation about the Power of Yet by listening to this {catchy!} song!
After we discuss what “Yet” means, we read a few books. Here are a few of my faves:
Power of Yet Books
The Magical Yet
The Power of Yet
Not Yet, Yeti
Hang Reminders!
Hang this {FREE!} poster in your classroom so students see some examples of growth mindset each and every day.
Encourage Problem-Solving
When your students encounter difficulties or obstacles, ask open-ended questions to prompt critical thinking. Encourage them to brainstorm solutions and try different approaches. This will teach them that setbacks are opportunities to learn and improve!
Model Resilience
We know children often learn by example. Share stories of your own challenges and how you overcame them. Be open about your mistakes and setbacks, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and the Power of Yet.
I’m constantly pointing out my own mistakes to my students so they know that even adults make mistakes, too!
Talk About What They Can/Can’t Do
Give your students a chance to celebrate things they can do…and still want to learn how to do! This activity is great to do throughout the year. Compile a folder with these papers and have students revisit their old papers to see if they’ve made progress on things they wrote about previously.
Want these freebies? Grab ’em here!
By introducing and nurturing the Power of Yet in 6-year-olds, we equip them with invaluable tools for success. They learn that challenges are opportunities for growth, failures are stepping stones to success, and with effort and perseverance, they can achieve anything they set their minds to. This mindset not only helps them thrive academically but also builds resilience and confidence that will serve them well throughout their lives!
