Free online training - Cultivating a Growth Mindset in the Early Years

This is a free self paced online training course of five separate modules containing a total of 24 simple steps which include: videos, articles, downloads, top tips and personal challenges. To take part it is first necessary to register a free account with Good Start Great Start so that your progress can be saved as you go through the modules and a certificate sent out to you once you have completed. Growth Mindset is not something we should apply with a strict discipline and fervour to all things, but rather a gentle shift in attitude to enable ourselves and others to see that we can all be life long learners, able to achieve progress in the things that are important and interesting in the world around us. Instead of limiting ourselves to always being surrounded by what is familiar we can dare to try new things. Before we can begin to nurture a growth mindset in young children, it’s important to first reflect on our own beliefs about learning, effort, and ability. As educators, caregivers, and parents, our attitudes toward challenges, mistakes, and perseverance shape the messages we pass on to children—often in ways we don’t even realise. This online course will guide you through recognising your own mindset inclinations and how they influence your interactions with young learners. Grounded in the research of psychologist Carol Dweck, we’ll explore how to create a supportive environment where children see mistakes as learning opportunities, effort as a pathway to growth, and challenges as exciting rather than intimidating. Through practical strategies, real-world examples, and reflective exercises, you’ll gain the tools to foster a growth mindset in both yourself and the young learners in your care, setting the foundation for lifelong confidence and resilience. A range of supportive growth mindset resources suitable for early years, including posters, stickers and booklets, can be found in the GSGS shop page