Understanding Rigidity vs. Flexibility in Children
Many children face challenges when it comes to adapting to new situations, changes in plans, or unexpected events. Rigidity, or the difficulty in adjusting to these changes, can be shown in different ways, such as not wanting to try new activities or getting frustrated when things don’t go as planned. On the other hand, flexibility is an important skill that helps children embrace new experiences, adapt to change, and build resilience.
What is a Growth Mindset?
Developing flexibility and the ability to adapt to changes is a key part of having a growth mindset. This mindset is the understanding that our brains are constantly growing, and with effort, learning, and persistence, we can improve over time. Children with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities to grow, rather than as obstacles to avoid. Instead of thinking, “I can’t do this,” they shift to thinking, “I can’t do this YET.”
How Can Parents Help Develop Flexibility?
Helping children develop flexibility is an important role for parents and carers. Here are a few simple strategies that can encourage a flexible and growing mindset at home:
- Praise Effort Over Results
Instead of only focusing on the outcome, praise your child’s hard work and effort. For example, instead of saying, “You did great!” try saying, “I’m so proud of how hard you worked on that!” This helps them understand that effort is just as important as success. - Encourage Problem-Solving
When your child faces a challenge, ask them, “What else can we try?” By encouraging them to think about different ways to approach problems, you’re helping them practise flexibility in their thinking. - Create a Safe Space for Mistakes
Let your child know that mistakes are a natural part of learning. When they make an error, reassure them that it’s okay and try help them see how mistakes can teach us new lessons. This reduces fear of failure and having a negative experience with learning new activities. - Use Visual Schedules
For children who require support with transitions, a visual schedule can help them predict what will happen next. This can ease the uncertainty of what is happening next and create a sense of control. You can use pictures or charts to outline daily routines, so your child knows what to expect throughout the day. - Modelling Flexible Thinking
As a parent or carer, you are one of the best role models your child can have. Show them how to approach challenges with a flexible mindset. For example, if something doesn’t go as planned, you could say, “This is tricky, but let’s try something different until we find one that works.” Your calm, persistent approach teaches your child that flexibility is a valuable skill for overcoming these challenges.
Remember that every child develops at their own pace. Some children may embrace change quickly, while others might need extra support to manage flexibility. Be patient and open to trying different strategies to see what works best for your child. Celebrate their progress, no matter how small, and trust that with time, their ability to adapt will grow.
By encouraging flexibility and developing a growth mindset, we can help our children learn the resilience, problem-solving, and adaptive skills they need to succeed. The more they practice adapting to challenges and learning from mistakes, the more confident and capable they will become in facing the future.
If you feel your child requires more support with flexibility and a growth mindset, our Occupational Therapists are here to support. Please feel free to reach out to us on hello@occupationaltherapy.com.au or (02)99133823 for further information or individual strategies.
