Reach and try again
6–12 monthsSuccess MindsetNo materials needed
Place a favorite toy just beyond your child's reach during play time. As they stretch and work to grab it, narrate their effort with calm encouragement. Say things like 'You're working hard to reach that' or 'Look how you're trying.' Let them struggle briefly before moving it slightly closer. This teaches that effort leads to success.
Part of the Imprint developmental journey — personalized to your child.
How to Do This Activity
Place a favorite toy just beyond your child's reach during play time. As they stretch and work to grab it, narrate their effort with calm encouragement. Say things like 'You're working hard to reach that' or 'Look how you're trying.' Let them struggle briefly before moving it slightly closer. This teaches that effort leads to success.
Why It Works
This activity builds the foundation of growth mindset by helping your child experience that persistent effort leads to achievement. When you narrate their effort rather than praise the outcome, you're teaching them that the process matters. Research shows that children of parents with higher growth mindset demonstrate greater persistence and are rated as more capable by teachers, independent of socioeconomic status (Song, Y., Barger, M. M., & Bub, K. L., 2022). Starting this effort-focused language early creates patterns that support lifelong resilience.
Tips for Parents
Keep the challenge brief, around one to two minutes. Watch for signs of frustration and adjust the distance.
Celebrate the trying, not just the grabbing. Your tone matters more than your words.
Materials Needed
None
Learning Methods
Responsive InteractionMovement-Based Learning
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