The Power of Yet – Jennifer Oaten
As parents, we all want to see our children succeed, not just academically but in life. We strive to encourage them, build their confidence, and instil resilience. But what happens when they face challenges, when they don’t get the answer right, or when they struggle with a new skill? How do we help them persevere and keep a positive outlook? One simple but powerful word can make all the difference: “yet.”
At Santa Maria College, we believe in the potential of every student to grow, learn, and succeed. One of the most powerful tools we can use to unlock this potential is this concept of “The Power of Yet.” This simple word transforms challenges into opportunities and encourages a growth mindset that can lead to lifelong success.
Understanding the Growth Mindset
The concept of “yet” is deeply rooted in the research of psychologist Carol Dweck, known for her work on the growth mindset. Dweck’s research highlights the significant impact that a person’s mindset—whether they see abilities as fixed or as qualities that can be developed—has on their success and wellbeing.
A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. This contrasts with a fixed mindset, where people believe their capacities are static. Research shows that students with a growth mindset achieve higher grades and are more likely to persevere through challenges.
The Power of “Yet”
Adding “yet” to our thoughts shifts us from limitation to possibility:
– “I don’t understand this… yet.”
– “I can’t solve this problem… yet.”
– “I’m not good at this… yet.”
These statements remind us that learning is a journey, not a destination. This small shift in language opens up a world of possibilities. It suggests that while they may not have the skills or knowledge now, they are capable of developing them with time and effort.
Implementing a Growth Mindset - Strategies for Success
- Embrace challenges – View them as opportunities to grow, not obstacles to avoid.
- Learn from feedback – Use input from others as a tool for improvement.
- Celebrate effort – Focus on the process, not just the outcome.
- Practice positive self-talk: Replace “I can’t” with “I can’t yet.”
Overcoming Obstacles
Adopting a growth mindset is not always easy. Common challenges include:
- Setbacks feeling like failures
- Comparison with peers
- Ingrained negative self-talk
Remember, developing a growth mindset is itself a growth process. Be patient with yourself!
Encouraging a Growth Mindset in Our Community
At Santa Maria, we integrate the growth mindset into our curriculum through:
- Regular reflection in classes and following tasks
- Peer feedback to encourage discussion about growth
- Growth mindset workshops for students in Pastoral Care Time
- Commendations – A reward system that recognises effort and improvement among our students
- Encouraging participation by all students and a have-a-go attitude.
We encourage parents to foster a growth mindset in the following ways:
- Encourage Effort, Not Just Results – Praise hard work, persistence, and progress rather than just outcomes or grades.
- Help Set Realistic Goals – assist young people in setting achievable yet challenging goals. Assist them in breaking these goals into manageable steps and celebrate their small wins,
- Model Lifelong Learning – Share your own and other family members’ experiences of learning and growth, highlighting the challenges and how you have worked through them.
- Encourage Perseverance – Teach young people that setbacks and failures are part of learning. Encourage them to persist and learn from mistakes rather than giving up, emphasising that effort and resilience lead to success.
- Embrace Challenges – View challenges as opportunities to grow rather than obstacles to success.
- Encourage Problem-Solving – When your child faces a difficulty, encourage them to think about strategies to overcome it. Ask questions like, “What can you try next?” or “How could you approach this differently?”
- Use “Not yet” when a young person says, “I can’t…..”
“The Power of Yet” is a simple but transformative concept that can help us all approach life with a positive, resilient mindset. By embracing this idea, we can unlock our full potential and support each other, especially our young people, in our journey of growth and learning.
By integrating “The Power of Yet” into our daily lives, we can cultivate an environment where everyone at Santa Maria is empowered to achieve their best. Remember, it is not about being there yet; it is about the journey and the growth we experience along the way to be the best we can be.
- Education, Featured, GrowthMindset, ParentingTips, Resilience, StudentSuccess
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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