Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Primary Classrooms at BISS
At the British International School of Stockholm (BISS), we believe that how students think about challenges matters just as much as what they learn. That’s why fostering a growth mindset in our Primary years is central to our educational philosophy.
What is Growth Mindset — and Why It Matters
The concept of growth mindset, developed by psychologist Carol Dweck, refers to the belief that intelligence and ability can grow through effort, strategy, and support — rather than being fixed traits.
In contrast, a fixed mindset sees failure or struggle as proof that you “just aren’t good” at something. Students with growth mindsets see challenges as opportunities and are more resilient in learning.
Research shows that classrooms where growth mindset is nurtured tend to have students who are more persistent, more willing to take on challenges, and better able to learn from mistakes (Edutopia).
How We Teach Growth Mindset at BISS Primary
Here’s how we integrate growth mindset practices into our everyday teaching and school culture:
1. Language matters: choose mindset-supportive phrasing
Teachers are intentional in how they speak about mistakes, effort, and feedback. Rather than praising only outcomes ("Good job! You’re so smart”), feedback emphasizes growth (“I can see how you stuck with that; what strategy will you try next?”). Research on feedback supports this approach.
We also make effort visible — talking about how students solved a problem, not just that they solved it.
2. Normalize struggle and iteration
We teach students early that mistakes are part of learning. Struggle is reframed not as failure, but as a step in refining thinking and strategies. This helps students become more comfortable with “not getting it right the first time” (American University School of Education).
3. Model growth mindset as educators
Our teachers and leaders also demonstrate growth mindset. We share when we try new teaching strategies, when we revise plans, and how we learn from feedback. This models that adults, too, continue growing.
4. Embed across subject areas and school culture
Growth mindset isn’t just an occasional lesson — it’s woven into daily routines, from class discussions to school assemblies. We embed it in how we frame tasks, set goals, and reflect on progress (Edutopia).
Growth Mindset Activities for Young Learners
To put mindset into practice, here are a few classroom strategies that work especially well with Primary-aged students (Kodable):
“The Power of Yet”: Encourage students to add “yet” to statements like “I can’t do this… yet.”
Reflection Journals: After difficult tasks, students write what challenge they faced, how they worked through it, and what they’ll try next.
Mistake Sharing: Students and teachers share a mistake they made and what they learned.
Challenge choice menus: Offer tasks of varying difficulty so students choose, stretch, and team up to solve.
Growth mindset posters / visuals: Place reminders (“Brain can grow with effort!”) around the classroom.
Celebrate effort and process: Publicly celebrate examples of perseverance, strategy changes, collaboration, etc.
Why This Matters for BISS Families
Long-term learner mindset: Students learn not just facts, but how to learn — an ability that supports them through life and school transitions.
Academic resilience: When challenges arise (hard assignments, new topics, assessments), students are less likely to give up.
Positive emotional climate: A culture of growth reduces fear of failure, anxiety, and fixed-ability comparisons.
Alignment with our mission: BISS aims to develop confident, inquisitive, life-long learners — growth mindset is a cornerstone of that vision.
