The growth mindset is an important thing for kids to understand because it can help them set a course for better interpersonal skills and higher academic achievement throughout their lifetimes. The concept of growth mindset can be tricky to explain to kids, but with the help from great illustrations and concrete examples in video media, kids will grasp it in no time!
Here’s our list of growth mindset videos to help students learn and master this outlook on life. They range from short clips to full-on TedTalks, so there’s something for every type of learner here.
1. What Adults Can Learn From Kids
Our list kicks off with a classic TEDTalk that can inspire kids to be an inspiration to the people around them — even the big people! The speaker gives a clear introduction to the growth mindset concept that allows young listeners to really take the lessons to heart.
Learn More: TED
2. “…YET!” with Janelle Monae and the Sesame Street Crew
The next entry on our list of fantastic growth mindset videos is this gem that features the talented musician Janelle Monae and the cast of the beloved kids’ show Sesame Street. They all sing together about the differences between fixed mindset vs growth mindset in a tune that will get kids dancing and thinking!
Learn More: Sesame Street
3. The Choice
This animated growth mindset video tells the story of the choices that we make throughout the day and ties the concept of mindsets in with the concept of making choices. It’s a great way to see growth mindset in action in daily routines.
Learn More: Project Better Self
4. Zen Den Videos
This fun growth mindset video collection helps kids learn growth mindset tips and tricks that can get them through their daily lives. The videos touch on topics ranging from school life to home life, so it’s a great way to help kids apply the growth mindset in several parts of their lives.
Learn More: Cosmic Kids
5. The Power of Believing You Can Improve
This is one of several growth mindset TEDTalks that explore the importance of always trying to do better. It’s best for high school and college students since it touches on contexts more relevant to those experiences, and the vocabulary is a bit elevated.
Learn More: TED
6. The Growth Mindset Video
This simple growth mindset video explains the basics and offers a solid introduction to help teach kids about growth mindset. It covers all the basic vocabulary and gives strong examples to help the basics really stick with students.
Learn More: Verse Learning
7. Kids Can Too!
This is another kid-delivered TEDTalk that can help kids feel empowered to stretch out of their comfort zones as they learn and practice new things. It’s a great way to encourage students to try new things and face new challenges with a growth mindset.
Learn More: TEDx Talks
8. Mindset Kit for Kids
This is more than just a video: it’s a whole kit of tools that includes several activities and lessons on growth mindset. It’s great as a stand-alone unit, or you can use these tools throughout other lesson plans during the school year.
Learn More: Mindset Kit
9. Growth Mindset Beliefs in TikTok Videos
This series of TikTok videos highlights the importance of mindset in children and adults alike. It’s a catchy way to help kids make mindset shifts, and the short video format is great for even the shortest of attention spans!
Learn More: TikTok
10. Failures Are The Pillars of Success
This motivational clip is a great way to help shift the mindset of people. It can take students out of a locked perspective and help them see their own potential for improvement and achievement. Plus, it features the stories of famous people, which makes it all the more interesting.
Learn More: Sameer Singh
11. The Truth About Your Brain
This video is an animated clip that takes the viewers on a trip through the human brain and body. It does a great job explaining how our bodies can help contribute to our mindset. It can help you reach a more holistic understanding of the growth mindset.
Learn More: Khan Academy
12. Dr. Nagler’s Laboratory
This video taps into the neuroscience behind the growth mindset for students. It’s a great introduction to what’s going on in the human brain, and how the body can actually change and benefit from a shift towards a growth mindset.
Learn More: Mineola Creative Content
13. Don’t Give Up!
This is another fun Sesame Street music video, this time featuring pop star Bruno Mars. It’s all about trying your best and trying again, even after initial failure. It has a catchy tune that will have elementary students tapping their toes and singing along!
Learn More: Sesame Street
14. Growth Mindset for Kids
In this video, kids can get the basics of the concept of growth mindset. It explains growth mindset in digestible and level-appropriate language, and it introduces some of the key vocabulary that students will need to continue their discussions about mindset moving forward.
Learn More: Highs and Lows of a Teacher
15. How to Help Every Child Fulfill Their Potential
This video is aimed more at teachers, parents, and caregivers. It explores the different ways that applying the power of growth mindset to the support and input that you give your child or children can help them in the long term.
Learn More: RSA
16. You Can Learn Anything
Show this video to kids who may feel discouraged or daunted by the growth mindset. Help them to recognize that initial failure is not a reason to give up, and it doesn’t mean that they’ll always fail, either. Let these uplifting stories guide your kids to a place of encouragement.
Learn More: RSA
17. A World Without Failures
This video is the read-aloud of a growth mindset book that takes the reader through a world where mistakes simply don’t exist. The message of the book is to view failures as a launchpad for further improvement, rather than getting hung up and quitting.
Learn More: KidTimeStoryTime
18. 20 Things We Should Say More Often
This video from the young and popular Kid President offers 20 growth mindset quotes to encourage students to share their positive outlook with others. It’s a great way to get kids talking about growth mindset outside of class, and to get them applying the concepts, too.
Learn More: Participant
19. Soar!
You can use this video, which features two relatable main characters, to drive home the importance of the growth mindset. When a young boy and a young girl are faced with a big challenge, how will they react? And how will their mindset determine the outcome of their solution?
Learn More: TheCGBros
20. The Mindset of a Champion
This TEDTalk looks at some of the characteristics of a champion’s mindset, and it highlights the importance of embracing failure and keeping a positive growth mindset. Since the talk is delivered by a kid, students will be interested in listening all the way to the end.
Learn More: TEDx Talks
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