Building Resilient Learners: Growth Mindset and Children's Mental Health - 13th Feb 2026
What if the way we respond to a child's mistake could shape their entire relationship with learning—and with themselves?
As Children's Mental Health Week draws to a close, the conversation around supporting young people's wellbeing continues year-round. At OLT, we recognise that cultivating confidence and resilience in the classroom is an ongoing commitment—one that benefits every child, every day.
Research shows that 1 in 6 children and young people now have a diagnosable mental health condition, making it more crucial than ever for schools to foster environments where learners feel capable, supported, and empowered to face challenges.
The Power of Growth Mindset
One of the most effective approaches to building resilience is encouraging a growth mindset—the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. When children understand that mistakes are opportunities and challenges are chances to grow, they develop the emotional tools to navigate setbacks with confidence.
Our newly updated resource, Cultivating Confidence: 5 Step Guide to a Growth Mindset, offers practical strategies that teachers can implement immediately in their classrooms:
- Effort Over Intelligence – Focus on process rather than ability
- Highlight Approach – Provide constructive praise that acknowledges effort and thought
- Positive Responses – Frame challenges as opportunities for growth
- Reframe Failure – Help students see mistakes as part of the learning journey
- Celebrate Progress – Visualise and acknowledge how far learners have come
Making a Lasting Impact
While awareness weeks are valuable for starting conversations, the real work happens in daily interactions between educators and students. The language we use, the way we respond to mistakes, and how we celebrate progress all contribute to shaping children's beliefs about their own capabilities.
By embedding growth mindset principles into everyday teaching practice, educators can help children develop not just academic skills, but the emotional resilience and self-belief that will serve them throughout their lives.
Download Your Free Resource
We're making our Cultivating Confidence resource freely available to all educators who want to foster growth mindset in their classrooms. This practical PDF includes specific language examples and strategies you can use immediately.
Download your free PDF
Whether you're a classroom teacher, SENCO, or school leader, these resources are designed to support you in creating learning environments where every child feels valued, capable, and ready to embrace challenges.
Because building resilient, confident learners isn't just about one week a year—it's about the language we use, the responses we give, and the culture we create every single day.