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by TinyLadyPrintables
I have always taught my families that I work with about the power of the magical little word, ” yet …..” as it is forgiving, less about failure and more about mindset and motivation.
It’s one of the powerfully fun activities that are in my ‘The Can-Do Kid’s Journal: Discover Your Confidence Superpower!’ 📕
As parents, we want our children to grow up with a strong sense of confidence, resilience, and hope don’t we?
We want them to face challenges head-on, bounce back from setbacks, and believe in their ability to learn and grow.
One simple yet powerful tool that can help us nurture these qualities in our kids is the word “yet.”
The word “yet” may be small, but it carries immense power when it comes to shaping a child’s mindset.
When a child says, “I can’t do this,” adding “yet” transforms the statement into “I can’t do this yet.”
This small shift in language encourages children to see their abilities as something that can grow and develop over time, rather than as fixed.
The concept behind this is tied to what psychologists call a “growth mindset.” Dr. Carol Dweck, a renowned psychologist, introduced the idea of the growth mindset, which contrasts with a “fixed mindset.”
In a fixed mindset, children believe their abilities are static—they are either good at something or they aren’t. A growth mindset, however, is the belief that abilities can be developed through effort, practice, and learning. The word “yet” is a key to unlocking this mindset.
Children who are encouraged to adopt a growth mindset tend to be more confident. When they encounter something difficult, they don’t immediately label themselves as failures or assume they’re just not “good” at it. Instead, they recognise that they are simply in the process of learning.
For example, when your child struggles with maths, instead of allowing them to say, “I’m not good at maths,” you can gently remind them to add “yet.”
This changes their self-talk to, “I’m not good at maths yet,” which instills a sense of possibility.
It reassures them that with time and effort, they can improve. This small change helps children believe in their potential, which is a cornerstone of confidence.
Resilience is the ability to recover from setbacks, and it’s a critical skill for navigating life’s inevitable challenges.
When children understand that they are capable of growth, they are more likely to persevere through difficulties.
Using “yet” teaches kids that failure is not a dead end, but rather a step on the road to success. When they realise that their current struggles are just temporary, they become more willing to try again, experiment with new strategies, and keep going even when the going gets tough.
This resilience will serve them well in all areas of life, from academics to relationships to personal goals.
Hope is a belief that the future holds positive possibilities, and it’s closely linked to a growth mindset.
When children believe they can improve and that their efforts will pay off, they are more hopeful about their future.
By regularly incorporating “yet” into your conversations, you help your child maintain a hopeful outlook. When they face difficulties, they are reminded that their current state is not permanent and that progress is always possible.
This belief fosters a sense of hope that motivates them to keep striving towards their goals, no matter how distant those goals may seem.
Model the Language:
Children learn a great deal from how we speak. Use “yet” in your own life when discussing your challenges. For instance, if you’re trying to learn a new skill, say out loud, “I haven’t mastered this yet, but I’m working on it.” Your child will see that growth is a lifelong process.
Encourage Effort Over Perfection:
Praise your child’s efforts rather than just their achievements. When they struggle, remind them that they are still learning and growing. For example, if they say, “I can’t draw like my friend,” respond with, “You can’t draw like that yet, but with practice, you’ll get there.”
Reframe Negative Self-Talk:
When your child expresses frustration or doubt, gently encourage them to add “yet” to their statements. This simple addition can help shift their perspective from one of defeat to one of possibility.
Celebrate Progress:
Recognise and celebrate the small steps of progress your child makes. This reinforces the idea that growth is a journey and that every step forward is worth acknowledging.
Be Patient:
Developing a growth mindset takes time. Your child may not immediately adopt the “yet” mentality, but with consistent encouragement and modelling, they will begin to see their potential for growth.
The word “yet” is a small but mighty tool in parenting. It helps children build confidence by encouraging them to see their abilities as ever-evolving.
It fosters resilience by teaching them that setbacks are just temporary. And it inspires hope by reminding them that with time and effort, they can achieve their goals.
By making “yet” a regular part of your family’s vocabulary, you are equipping your children with a powerful mindset that will serve them well throughout their lives.
They will learn to embrace challenges, persevere through difficulties, and maintain hope for the future. So next time your child says, “I can’t do it,” just add one little word: “yet.”
“The Can-Do Kid’s Journal is a spectacular book for children, which will help them to reflect on and record what they are good at and to focus on their strengths and everything positive in their lives. Sue has mindfully and skilfully used a child-centred approach to develop this resource. The Can-Do Kid’s journal is also useful for parents and key adults in the child’s life to increase their understanding and to help them to support the child on a day-to-day basis. More importantly, this journal will support children to have their own voice, which will enhance their self-esteem and self-worth. I fully recommend that every child has a copy of The Can-Do Kid’s Journal.”
Buy ‘The Can Do Kids Journal’ here
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