3 Key Student Mindsets to Cultivate in the Classroom

Teachers can design the most impeccable lesson plan, but if their students aren’t in the right headspace to learn, all that work can be for naught. So it’s worth it to invest time to figure out the right student mindsets to cultivate—the groundwork can be laid for a more engaged class, better classroom dynamics, and optimized instructional time.

One way to start is by framing belonging as a collaborative effort. While establishing an inclusive community where students feel like they fit in and have agency is crucial for effective learning, it’s not all up to the teacher—students must collaborate in building the classroom culture. Cocreating classroom agreements with students can strengthen their commitment and buy-in. And, employing inclusive language and positioning oneself as a "warm demander"—someone who combines high academic expectations with support and kindness—further reinforces this sense of shared purpose and connection. 

Setting up a mistake-friendly environment and encouraging students to have a high tolerance for academic risk is also vital. Protecting learners from failure does more harm than good—research shows that exposure to challenges and the experience of productive struggle foster growth. A 2021 study revealed that prioritizing constructive feedback over grades significantly boosted student performance in subsequent tasks. In a classroom like this, mistakes are not only destigmatized but are seen as valuable learning opportunities.

Lastly, while a certain level of stress is inevitable (and beneficial for development), learning effective management techniques is essential for students. By integrating practices such as short breaks, deep breathing, and meditation, teachers can help mitigate stress and model strategies for regulation. Teaching students to assess their challenges realistically with activities like “The Size of the Problem” and encouraging them to distinguish between what is within their control and what isn't enables them to approach problems with a more balanced perspective.

By helping their students embrace these ways of thinking, educators can cultivate resilient and inquisitive learners, ultimately transforming their classroom for the better. 

To learn more about the research cited in the video, check out the resources below. 

• Tanmay Sinha and Manu Kapur’s comprehensive meta-analysis of the evidence for productive failure (2021)  

• Caroline E. Kuepper-Tetzel and Paul L. Gardner’s study on the effects of withholding grades (2021) 

Find more evidence-based ideas for student mindsets to cultivate in Stephen Merrill’s article for Edutopia, “6 Essential Student Mindsets to Work on This Year.”

Editor’s note: This summary was written with support from Edutopia’s GPT.