HOW TO BUILD A GROWTH MINDSET THROUGH YOGA POSES FOR KIDS
Is your child willing to take on challenges and keep working on them despite setbacks? That’s a sign of a growth mindset—believing that abilities can improve over time. But some struggling learners have a fixed mindset. They think that their abilities are set and won’t ever improve, even with effort.
Given the unprecedented situation we are facing, it is so important to help prepare kids for challenges. A growth mindset can help kids manage anxiety and feel more confident when facing difficult problems. With the right tools, it is possible to help kids grow during a crisis and be even more prepared to face the next challenge.
A growth mindset in kids has a number of additional benefits. It can help kids:
Feel more resilient and able to turn challenges into opportunities to grow
Develop self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Be more productive
Feel more enthusiastic about learning
Develop independence and stronger sense of self
Cope better with transitions
Recognize and acknowledge their strengths
Set goals and develop plans to achieve them
Have a more positive mindset and outlook
Value the learning process
Developing a growth mindset is an ongoing process. One way to reinforce these ideas of growth mindset is to practice daily affirmations through yoga poses. We know that learning through movement helps children retain the information, so below you’ll find five yoga poses inspiring us to think using a growth mindset.
5 GROWTH MINDSET YOGA POSES FOR KIDS
I AM HARD-WORKING.
How to practice Warrior 1 Pose: Stand tall with legs hip-width apart, feet facing forward, and straighten your arms alongside your body. Step one foot back, angling it slightly outward. Bend your front knee, bring your arms straight up toward the sky, and look up. Imagine working hard through a problem and embracing challenges. Say, “I am hard-working.” Repeat on the other side.
I AM CREATIVE.
How to practice Dancer’s Pose: Stand tall in Mountain Pose. Then stand on your right leg, reach your left leg out behind you, and place the outside of your left foot into your left hand. Bend your torso forward, with your right arm out in front for balance, and arch your leg up behind you. Imagine using your creativity to face setbacks in a different way. Say, “I am creative.” Switch sides and repeat the steps.
I AM FOCUSED.
How to practice Chair Pose: Stand tall in Mountain Pose with your feet hip-width apart, bend your knees, and keep a straight spine. Take your straight arms out in front of you at a 45-degree angle. Focus on giving your best effort to hold this difficult pose as long as you can. Think of when you could use focus and effort to master a task in real life. Say, “I am focused.”
I AM OPEN-MINDED.
How to practice Crescent Lunge Pose: From Downward-Facing Dog Pose, step your right foot forward to rest just inside your right hand. Keep a flat back and open your chest. Imagine being open-minded enough to listen and learn from someone giving you constructive criticism. Say, “I am open-minded.” Switch sides and repeat the steps.
I AM CURIOUS.
How to practice Downward-Facing Dog Pose: Step back to your hands and feet in an upside-down V shape, with your buttocks up in the air. Think of ways that people around you have experienced success. Be curious and inspired by their successes. Say, “I am curious.”
This is also a fun activity to do with your kiddo or the whole family!! I hope you enjoy this activity. There are so many more that I can’t wait to share with you over the next few weeks. You can also check out some of these books!
10 Children’s Books for Teaching Growth Mindset
1. The Most Magnificent Thing
2. Rosie Rever, Engineer
3. Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It
4. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
5. What Do You Do With a Problem?
6. Thanks for the Feedback, I Think…
7. Beautiful Oops!
8. The Dot
9. The OK Book
10. Making a Splash: A Growth Mindset Children’s Book