#CodingLabParenting: Overcoming Obstacles with a Growth Mindset!
Fear of failure often overshadows student success.
A 2019 study by the Programme for International Student Assessment found that 72% of Singaporean students feared being judged for their failures, leading to stress and anxiety. In 2023, the National University of Singapore reported that one in three students experienced mental health symptoms due to academic pressure.
As parents, how can we help our children reach their full potential while maintaining their well-being?
Psychologists Dweck and Leggett (1988) introduced the concepts of a growth mindset—the belief that abilities can improve through effort—and a fixed mindset, which views abilities as unchangeable.
At Coding Lab, we believe in nurturing a growth mindset. It not only enhances coding skills but also builds confidence and resilience in learning. Here are four ways parents can foster this mindset in their children!
Ways to Cultivate a Growth Mindset in Children
Believe in your child’s potential for growth
Coding Lab students showing off their Hackathon projects with minimal assistance from our educators!
Be open to trying new experiences with your child — whether it's coding, sports, or music. Shared experiences spark curiosity and show that learning is a lifelong journey.
At Coding Lab, we create a safe, encouraging space where students experiment and learn through hands-on coding challenges. From solving problems independently in class to building projects during Hackathons, we nurture a mindset of exploration and growth, where students are encouraged to apply their learning independently (with some assistance to guide them along)!
We also have Coursemology and Kahoot recap sessions. Using these sessions, we strive to create a collaborative and safe environment where our students feel comfortable expressing their opinions.
Acknowledge your child’s frustration when they face challenges
Coding Lab educators working together with students to tackle coding challenges!
It's important to recognise and validate your child's feelings when they encounter difficulties.
Patience is crucial in helping your child navigate their emotions and remain determined. For example, our educators at Coding Lab are receptive and encouraging towards students who are struggling to come up with ideas during their Hackathons.
When your child struggles, acknowledge their frustration — it helps them feel heard and supported. Doing so helps our child to process their emotions and accept challenges as a normal part of growth!
Provide constructive feedback for your child’s mistakes
Coding Lab aims to teach our students the importance of making and resolving programming mistakes in our holiday camp debugging sessions!
Turn mistakes into learning opportunities by giving helpful feedback. Use phrases like “You haven’t gotten it yet” to encourage perseverance instead of focusing on failure! Such statements can be incredibly effective, shifting the focus from your child’s personal failure to areas for improvement.
At Coding Lab, our educators guide students through debugging with positivity, showing that every mistake is a step forward. Sharing your own mistakes can also make learning more relatable and fun at home!
Coding Lab strives to encourage a growth mindset towards problems during our debugging sessions. We place emphasis on resolving mistakes in code, and normalise mistakes as part of the process. In doing this, we teach our children that mistakes are simply opportunities for growth.
Every Coding Lab holiday camp student receives a personalised Certificate of Achievement to acknowledge and celebrate their efforts in completing the course!
Remind your kids how far they’ve come
Children often hyper-focus on the failure or struggle they’re experiencing in the present moment, losing sight of the success they’ve had in the past. Remind them of how much they’ve grown. A simple, “Remember when you struggled with Lego? Now you’re building apps!” can boost their confidence.
At Coding Lab, we celebrate progress by awarding personalised certificates at the end of each camp — a small but meaningful reminder of how far they’ve come!
Coding Lab believes that nurturing a growth mindset is crucial not only for academic achievement but also for their overall development and lifelong learning. Empowering our students with a growth mindset today paves the way for them to become innovative, adaptable, and resourceful leaders of tomorrow!