The holiday season can provide us time to reflect. While reflecting on the year that is soon to pass, ensure that you model this growth mindset for your students. Share with them things that went well in the past year, things you wish you would have done differently, and your plans for improvement.

Students need to understand that their actions can lead to areas of success and growth. When adults they care about share how their time studying and preparing has led to a life success such as a Master's Degree, a successful job interview, or any other personal goal that has been attained, they can develop a better understanding how positive actions can lead to desired results. 

 As well, it is important to share examples of when your actions did not lead to what you had hoped for, what you could do differently and your plans to do so. This shows students that we all have areas where we can improve and that a plan for this development is best created by the individual, not an outside source. Explain to your student how you may need to access a support network to help with areas for growth, and that the desire to improve should come from within.

Then ask your student to share some of their successes from the past year and reflect on areas for growth for the coming year. Praise them for a job well done and support them in developing a thoughtful plan for the area for growth they have chosen to work on. 

These conversations should lead to students who are self motivated, because they will better understand that their decisions can lead to positive results. These discussions can also lead to the understanding that if they have a desire to improve in specific areas, they will be internally motivated, and can access their support network to achieve personal success.

The staff at Colonel Sanders School wish all families the gift of reflection during the holiday season. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2026!

Alexandra Caso-Gustafson

Principal, Colonel Sanders School