Northside Independent School District

Welcome back and Happy New Year! As we return from the winter break, January offers a natural "reset button" for our students. While many focus on resolutions, we are focusing on perspective.

This month, our school counseling activities will center on the Growth Mindset—the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and learning from mistakes.

The core of a growth mindset is a simple three-letter word: YET.

• "I can't do this" becomes "I can't do this YET."
• "I don't understand this" becomes "I don't understand this YET."

By adding "yet," we transform a dead-end statement into a path forward. This subtle shift helps students stay motivated when tasks become challenging.

You are your child's first and most influential teacher. Here are three ways to foster a growth mindset at home this month:

1. Praise the Process, Not the Result: Instead of saying "You're so smart," try "I can tell you worked really hard on that project" or "I love the creative way you solved that problem."
2. Model "Productive Struggle": When you make a mistake or feel frustrated (like getting lost or burning dinner), speak your thoughts out loud. Say, "This is tough, but I'm going to try a different way."
3. Celebrate Mistakes: During dinner, ask everyone to share a mistake they made today and what they learned from it. This removes the "stigma" of being wrong.