In October, our focus at Innovation Learning Lab is Growth Through Failure—a powerful theme that teaches or reminds Innovators how to embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth. By setting goals, nurturing a growth mindset, building self-efficacy, learning from failures, and celebrating achievements, we aim to help Innovators develop resilience and perseverance. Here are some ideas to expand Growth Through Failure at home.
Start by asking your child about the SMART goal they’ve set at Innovation. Encourage open conversations about the steps they’ve taken, any obstacles they’ve encountered, and what adjustments they can make to overcome these challenges. Help them see that goal setting is a process of refinement and growth, not perfection. Encourage your child to set SMART goals for other parts of their life, focusing on a new skill, completing a project, or developing a new habit, furthering their ability to set, evaluate and achieve goals in all facets of their life.
Learn more about growth mindset, a key to embracing challenges and learning from failure. The Big Life Journal offers a list of growth mindset movies that you can watch together to reinforce these concepts in a fun way. These films illustrate characters facing obstacles and demonstrating perseverance. Check out the list here.
To help your Innovator develop self-efficacy, consider incorporating some of these tools at home. First, teach them to challenge negative thoughts by identifying inaccurate beliefs and replacing them with positive, truthful ideas. Guide them in goal setting, showing them how to set realistic goals and persist through obstacles. Encourage them to think of multiple paths to their goal and stay motivated. Create a success journal where they can track their achievements and reflect on the skills they used. Use process praise by focusing on their effort and strategy, rather than just the outcome. Finally, offer opportunities for them to experience mastery by allowing them to control decisions and practice skills. For more tips on fostering self-efficacy, visit this resource.
Failure is inevitable, but it offers valuable lessons. Teach your Innovators that learning from failures is essential for growth. Reframe mistakes as learning opportunities, and discuss what could be done differently next time. Mindset Works provides resources for parents to support their child’s development of a growth mindset, and it can help guide conversations about how to handle setbacks positively.
Finally, make sure to celebrate achievements, no matter how small. This doesn’t just mean big wins—celebrate the effort, the persistence, and the learning along the way. Recognizing progress, even in failure, helps Innovators build confidence and remain motivated.
By fostering these strategies at home, you can expand upon the foundation we are building at Innovation Learning Lab. Let’s work together to help Innovators view failure not as the end, but as a stepping stone to growth and success!