The Four Letter Word Your Child Is Probably Already Using

What’s a word that we hear kids and dance students use all the time? It starts with the letter “c” and diminishes a child’s capacity to learn and grow. The word is: can’t.

From Can’t to Can

We teach that the word “can’t" is a bad word in dance class and school and is not allowed. The word is a self-defeating, poisonous word that stops learning and progress right in its tracks. It’s true that at any given moment, someone can’t do something. Splits, for example, have varying degrees of success at every level. The child who says “I can’t do splits” is setting themselves up for success; in this case, success at NOT doing the splits.

Teaching Kids a Growth Mindset

The problem is that most skills aren’t mastered in one, two, or even a dozen tries. It takes consistent work to accomplish anything meaningful and requires a growth mindset. The same is true with any new skill, whether it is learning an instrument, a new language, or the next level of mathematics. A growth mindset means that even though there is a challenge, a person believes that with hard work and perseverance they can achieve their goals. This kind of mindset develops a love for learning and a resilience that is essential for any great accomplishments.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t - you’re right.”
Henry Ford