Keep A Happy Mindset – Teach Your Child A Foreign Language
Learning, mindset, grit, and resilience
These are the trending words we see and hear in the classroom, at school, and in the media. Teachers want kids to have a growth mindset. Parents want kids to have grit. And, experts and researchers talk to parents about raising resilient kids. Why is it important for kids to have a growth mindset, grit, and being resilient? What do these words really mean?
So, let’s take a look at the definitions of these three words according to the Oxford Dictionaries.
Mindset:
a set of attitudes or fixed ideas that someone has and that are often difficult to change
Grit:
the courage and determination that makes it possible for somebody to continue doing something difficult or unpleasant
Resilience:
the ability of people or things to feel better quickly after something unpleasant, such as shock, injury, etc.
Growth mindset, grit, and resilience are words not just for students and kids but for parents and teachers who are leading the children in life and on the learning journey. As we help our children learn something new, we, as parents, need to polish our own skills of having the growth mindset, grit, and being resilient.
I have parents who are new to the Chinese language tell me how much they enjoy learning Mandarin Chinese with their children. They show up in my program week after week with their young kids filled with curiosity just like their children. When they encounter difficulties they let me know and we work it out together. They lead the way and they walk on the path of resilience while holding their children’s hands and learning a new language.
It is emotional labor just like parenting. But, if you have a strong relationship with your child you can keep it going even when the road is bumpy. Your child sees you and she learns from your growth mindset, grit, and resilience.
Keep a Happy Mindset
“The brain has this amazing ability to find happiness even when the memories of it are gone.”
Charles Duhigg from The Power of Habit
Introducing a second language to your child is not a race. The target language might be a second language that you speak. The language might be a heritage language for you or your spouse. The target language might even be totally new to you. Every child is unique, and you should always keep that in mind on this journey. A happy mindset means staying positive. Engage in learning with smiles – today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow.
Your biggest and most important fan is your child. When you’re having fun, your child will come back for more. That is the power of a happy mindset.
More in Teach Your Child A Foreign Language series:
Start with songs and music
Incorporate Everyday Expressions
Have Fun With Games
Create A Routine
Engage The Senses
Image by Senjuti Kundu
Keep A Happy Mindset – Teach Your Child A Foreign Language