Growth Mindset Ninja: A Children's Book About the Power of Yet (Ninja Life Hacks)
#36 of 122 in Ninja Life Hacks Series
What’s inside...
Growth Mindset Ninja is a part of the Ninja Life Hacks book series which teaches children valuable life skills through fun, pint-sized characters in comedic books. This book focuses on developing a growth mindset by showing how we can grow our brains using the magic of yet. It is perfect for children ages 3-11 and serves as an excellent resource for counselors, parents, and teachers. The series encourages children not to give up easily and equips them with skills that can benefit them throughout their lives.
Discussion points
What do you think 'the power of yet' means? How can it help you when you're struggling?
Can you think of a time when you, like the Growth Mindset Ninja, faced a challenge? What did you learn from that experience?
Why do you think it's important to keep trying, even when something seems very difficult?
How did the Growth Mindset Ninja change his thinking throughout the book? Can you apply the same ideas in your life?
What is one new thing you would like to try doing? What steps will you take to keep going if it gets tough?
Tip: Role play these questions
Validate their feelings about challenges they’ve faced or are currently facing, and relate them back to the Growth Mindset Ninja's experiences.
Encourage them to think of examples from their own life that mirror the ninja's journey and discuss what 'yet' could mean for them in those scenarios.
Celebrate their efforts, not just successes, to reinforce the growth mindset message.
Use anecdotal examples from your own experiences with trying and struggling to achieve goals to help them see the universal nature of the theme.
Ask follow-up questions to their answers, promoting deeper thinking and connection to the theme of persevering and growing.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Perseverance
Explanation: The protagonist, Growth Mindset Ninja, faces challenges but learns the power of 'yet,' demonstrating that not being able to do something right now doesn't mean you won't be able to do it eventually.
Real-World Application: Children learn to approach difficulties in school or during play with a persistent attitude, understanding that practice and time can help them achieve their goals.
Example Lesson: Building a Growth Mindset
Explanation: The book emphasizes that skills can be developed through hard work and dedication, rather than being fixed traits one is simply born with.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace learning new things and improving, instead of fearing failure or shying away from challenges.
Example Lesson: Value of Positive Self-talk
Explanation: Growth Mindset Ninja uses positive affirmations like 'I can't do it yet' to transform doubts into motivation.
Real-World Application: Children can adopt this practice of using positive language to encourage themselves when facing new challenges or when learning gets tough.
Example Lesson: Overcoming Fear of Failure
Explanation: The story shows that failure is a natural part of learning and growing, not something to be feared or avoided.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to see setbacks as opportunities for growth and as steps towards mastering new skills, which can reduce anxiety related to performance in and out of school.
Example Lesson: Encouragement to Experiment
Explanation: By continuously trying new methods to overcome obstacles, the Ninja showcases how experimenting leads to solutions.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of trying different approaches in problem-solving situations, fostering creativity and innovation.