Free Printable Growth Mindset Cards
These free printable growth mindset cards are a simple way to remind your kids that they are capable, that mistakes are part of learning, and that effort matters more than getting it right the first time.
I first created this set of growth mindset cards for my own kids after writing about how to help a child who hates maths. My kids needed more than tips and strategies, they needed something small and tangible to hold onto when they were feeling discouraged. These cards became that thing, and they’ve turned out to be useful for a lot more than maths.
What Is a Growth Mindset?
A growth mindset is the belief that abilities can be developed with effort and practise, rather than being fixed traits you’re either born with or not. Kids with a growth mindset are more likely to keep trying after they get something wrong, because they know that “I can’t do it” is really “I can’t do it YET”.
Each card puts that shift into words kids can actually use. Messages like “mistakes help me learn” and “I can do hard things” replace the fixed-mindset thought with a growth mindset one, in simple, easy to understand ideas.
Not Just Lunchbox Notes
Slipping one of these card into your kids lunchbox is a great way to use them, but these growth mindset cards can you be used in lots of other ways too:
- Tuck one into a maths book or homework folder for a tricky subject.
- Pop one under your kids pillow before a big test or important event.
- Stick one to the bathroom mirror.
- Teachers could put one on each student’s desk before a challenging task or test
- Keep a pile in your desk so students can choose one any time they need a reminder.
These cards are great for reminding us adults to use this language too, and to model a growth mindset out loud for our kids, not just hand over a card and hope it sinks in.
Download Your Free Printable Growth Mindset Cards
This set of printable growth mindset cards for kids includes two pages of ready-to-print messages, plus a blank set so you can write your own.
This printable is an A4 sized PDF file, you’ll need a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat to open it. If you’re printing on US letter sized paper, select “fit” or “shrink to fit” from your printer options. Print them on card stock, or laminate them, and keep a stash on hand.
Download the Growth Mindset Cards
Click here to download the growth mindset cards for kids
Please remember that the printables at picklebums.com are for personal use only, you may not sell, share, or link directly to these files.
More Ideas to Help Your Child Feel Confident
For more ways to respond when your child tries something hard, check out 25 Alternatives to Saying “Good Job”.
“I can’t do it YET” is such a powerful little change, and putting it on a card kids can actually hold makes it stick better than a reminder from a parent. Tucking one into the maths book for a tricky subject is a lovely idea. Thanks for sharing these for free!