Math Teacher’s Top Tips to Build a Growth Mindset in Mathematics

Throughout my time as a math teacher, I have seen many students experience fear and frustration over the math.

Math is a difficult subject that is full of challenges and abstract concepts. Some students feel so much pressure to get the right answer that it brings on high levels of stress.

One tool that I worked hard to help my students develop is a growth mindset in mathematics. As educators and researchers have shown, developing a positive growth mindset can transform the way students see their abilities and mathematics achievements. 

As a teacher and mindset coach, I have spent years helping students understand that failure is feedback to help them improve. I have taught my students to use their marks as a guide for growth, rather than a permanent reflection of their skills or abilities.

By encouraging my students to take risks without fearing low grades, and by celebrating mistakes as valuable learning opportunities, I helped them transform their fear of failure into confidence and resilience. 

Over the years, I have witnessed thousands of students embrace these principles and achieve success in mathematics!

But what does a growth mindset in mathematics look like? And how can students develop one?

Let’s find out!

What is a Growth Mindset?

The theory of growth mindset was pioneered by Stanford University social psychology professor and researcher Carol Dweck. Dr. Dweck demonstrated that students who believe their abilities can grow through effort achieve higher levels of success. 

This idea is central to the implicit theories of intelligence, or the idea thaat intelligence is not fixed but can be developed through hard work and persistence.

A growth mindset is the belief that students who embrace the learning process and view failure as feedback to improve can unlock new opportunities for success.

In the field of mathematics education, Jo Boaler, a professor of mathematics education also at Stanford University, has built on these ideas to promote mathematical mindsets.

Jo Boaler’s work shows that students who embrace challenges and mistakes as opportunities for growth achieve higher levels of mathematics self-efficacy, can overcome mathematics anxiety, and are better equipped to solve problems.

I frequently referenced the work of Dweck and Boaler in my own classroom to help my students understand that their struggles were not a reflection of their intelligence but an essential part of their growth. 

By teaching students about the science of mindsets, I empowered them to tackle challenges with renewed determination.

What is a Growth Mindset in Mathematics?

A common misconception about mathematics is the belief that some people simply lack math skills and are therefore not “math people.” Many people believe that only a “math person” can be good at math, and no amount of effort can change this.

This is an example of a fixed mindset perspective. This way of thinking prevents students from engaging fully with the subject and limits their potential. 

However, by shifting the focus from getting the “correct answer” to embracing the learning process, teachers can help students see mathematics as a journey of discovery.

In my classroom, I emphasized this shift by celebrating when students made bold attempts to solve problems, even if their answers were incorrect.

I often told my students that “mistakes are proof that you are learning” and encouraged them to take pride in their progress, no matter how small. 

What I noticed is that students stopped avoiding difficult problems, and instead started feeling more comfortable actively seeking challenges. Watching this shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset in mathematics has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my teaching career.

The face of failure can be intimidating for students, but it is essential to reframe failure attributions as a natural part of learning. Instead of viewing mistakes as evidence of inability, I worked hard to help my students see them as stepping stones toward new skills, a deeper understanding of new strategies, and greater success in math overall.

This short video encourages students to see mistakes and failure as a road forward to becoming better at math:

@mathbythepixel

How to get better at math by FAILING #math #motivationalmathmatics #betteratmath #inspiration

♬ original sound – MathByThePixel

How Does a Growth Mindset in Mathematics Help Students?

The research of Carol Dweck and Jo Boaler shows that a growth mindset approach to mathematics has significant impacts on students’ mathematics achievement.

Students with a growth mindset experience better learning behavior and demonstrate improved academic performance. Students also report a higher level of mathematics self-efficacy and exhibit greater resilience in the face of challenges.

Students with a growth mindset also have a more positive approach to mathematical practice. This is because they see it as a necessary step to improving in mathematics, rather than an obstacle that gets in the way.

I witnessed these outcomes firsthand in my own classroom several times where a group of students would consistently failed their math tests and feel discouraged.

Through consistent mindset coaching and personalized support, I helped these students improve their approach to preparing for a test and the attitude they had toward the material.

This not only led to higher test scores, but it also led to higher levels of confidence. By the end of the school year, many of these students were excelling in areas they once avoided entirely.

How to Develop a Growth Mindset in the Mathematics Classroom

To foster a positive attitude and a growth mindset toward mathematics, teachers should aim to create an environment that encourages exploration and celebrates progress. Here are a few strategies to get started:

1. Orient students toward new learning experiences by focusing on the process rather than the outcome.
2. Celebrate different patterns of thinking and problem-solving.
3. Help students develop study skills that emphasize persistence and reflection.
4. Encourage students to step outside their comfort zones to make new connections and apply new strategies to tackle problems.

One creative approach to create a safe space for risk-taking is to try a “mistake of the day” activity. Students can volunteer their errors from homework or classwork, and the class can analyze these mistakes together to understand what went wrong and how to improve. 

This activity transforms how students view errors. It puts the mistake in the spotlight and makes a direct connection to the learning opportunity. Students begin to see mistakes as opportunities for growth rather than something to be ashamed of.

By making the math classroom a safe space for risk-taking and experimentation, teachers can help students develop intrinsic motivation and reduce math anxiety.

Benefits of a Growth Mindset in Mathematics

Adopting a growth mindset approach benefits both students and teachers. 

For students, growth mindset intervention leads to a more empowering and positive approach to studying mathematics. Not only do students end up with more resilience when solving problems, but they start to see higher grades that reflect their deeper understanding. 

While grades are only one indicator of a student’s success, higher grades can lead to greater confidence and a better attitude toward toward learning. 

Teachers who use a growth mindset in mathematics classrooms become more effective at guiding students through challenges and encouraging students’ mathematics self-efficacy.

Teachers who embrace the role of growth mindset teachers play a key part in creating environments where students can thrive. By promoting positive mindset ideas and celebrating effort over perfection, teachers can help students see themselves as capable learners.

As a teacher, I found that adopting a growth mindset myself was helpful. I modelled vulnerability by sharing my own struggles with learning and how I overcame them, and I spotlighted my own mistakes during lessons and used them as learning opportunities.

This openness showed my students that growth is a lifelong process.

The Good News About Growth Mindset

I won’t sit here and tell you that building a growth mindset in mathematics is easy.

It takes time and effort to rewire your brain to see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. But the good news is that a growth mindset is a skill that anyone can develop with practice and persistence.

Small mindset shifts, like saying “I haven’t mastered this y​et” instead of “I’m bad at this,” can make a big difference in how students approach math.

By embracing mistakes as stepping stones to success, students not only build resilience but also gain confidence in their ability to tackle complex problems.

The benefits of a growth mindset extend far beyond the math classroom. The problem-solving skills, persistence, and adaptability students develop will help them succeed in all areas of life.

Remember that mathematics isn’t about being “naturally good” at it. Learning mathematics requires effort, practice, and a willingness to keep learning. 

By embracing the challenges of mathematics and viewing failure as an opportunity for growth, students can achieve higher levels of success and enjoy learning mathematics!

Looking for more inspiration? Check out this collection of 60 inspirational math quotes to empower yourself in your studies of mathematics!

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