As the school year kicks off, you’re stocking up on pencils, notebooks, and binders for your student’s return to the classroom. And as you think about what supplies your child is toting on their first days, it’s a good time to reflect on something even more important for them to carry into the new school year—a strong mindset.  

The mindset your child brings to learning matters just as much as their supplies. Studies show that traits like grit, optimism, and confidence can significantly influence how well students bounce back from challenges and thrive academically.

Here’s how you can help raise a can-do kid with a growth mindset that carries beyond the first days of school and throughout the year.

What a Can-Do Spirit Looks Like (and Why a Growth Mindset Matters for Learning)

A can-do spirit isn’t about always getting answers and decisions right—it’s about having a growth mindset that encourages getting back up. This mindset is the difference between a child who shuts down after one hard math problem and one who says, “Let me ask for help and try again.” 

Kids with a growth mindset believe that their abilities can be built with effort. And this type of thinking doesn’t just lead to higher academic achievement—it fosters emotional resilience, persistence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Children aren’t born with grit and confidence; they build it through experiences and challenges over time. As a parent, you play a huge role in shaping how your child sees themselves as a learner and an overcomer.

Why You Should Honor Processes over Outcomes

When your child brings home a great grade, it’s natural to celebrate the result, but the real magic lies in honoring the process they took to arrive at the outcome. Did they study a little every day? Have they made great efforts to have their study materials better organized? When they got frustrated, did they push through or ask for help? 

Praising effort, strategy, and persistence reinforces the idea that success isn’t about being smart but rather is about working hard and being brave enough to put forth best efforts. Let your child know what they did specifically to earn the outcome they received, and they’ll be motivated to continue giving their best, knowing that what they do matters more than a test score.

How to Help Kids Face Challenges Without Quitting

When the going gets tough, kids need more than encouragement—they need guidance on how to think through challenges. Help your child learn to name the problem, identify what’s in their control, and take action, even if it’s small.

Ask your child guiding questions like:

• What have you tried already?
• What exactly is frustrating you? 
• What’s one thing you could try next?
• Who could you ask for help?

Problem-solving becomes a habit when kids experience the satisfaction of working through something hard and coming out stronger. The goal isn’t to eliminate frustration but rather to teach them how to navigate challenges and come out with a sense of pride.  

Why Make Room for Mistakes: The Role of Safe Failure

Mistakes are not the enemy of learning. In fact, it’s through course-correction that we experience learning and growth. But if your child feels ashamed or discouraged by mistakes, they’re more likely to avoid challenges altogether.

Create a home environment where mistakes are expected and even welcomed. Create conversations around what your child learned from a wrong answer or a missed deadline. Vulnerably share your own failures with your child and how you moved forward. The message is simple: mistakes are how we get better.

A can-do mindset starts at home, but it doesn’t end there. 

As a parent, your words, expectations, and encouragement shape how your child sees themself as a learner. When you focus on effort, progress, and resilience, you’re not just helping them succeed in school: You’re giving them the tools to thrive in life.

Your support at home lays the foundation, but outside support can reinforce and accelerate that growth. At Best in Class Education Center, our programs are built to challenge students just enough while providing the structure, feedback, and encouragement they need to thrive.

Whether your child is struggling with grade-level math or looking to stretch their writing skills through enrichment, Best in Class offers a nurturing environment that prioritizes confidence just as much as competence. Through small-group enrichment and individualized tutoring, students practice resilience, build academic habits, and start to believe in their potential.

Need support building your child’s confidence this school year? Contact your nearest Best in Class Education Center to explore personalized math and English enrichment and tutoring programs designed to help every student develop the skills and the mindset to succeed.