Growth Mindset Matters with Michelle Blais

What if every time your child said "I can't," they followed it with "...yet"? This week on Lil' Leaders, we're shining the spotlight on Michele Blais—our Big Leader Feature! Michele is not only an inspiring educator, but a powerful advocate for helping kids grow through what they go through.

With her deep belief in the power of a growth mindset, Michele has made it her mission to teach kids (and their grownups!) that FAIL isn't the end—it's just your First Attempt In Learning. From managing big emotions to trying again after a setback, she shares simple, everyday strategies that parents can use at home to support their child's resilience and confidence.

Michele reminds us: We never know what we're capable of… unless we try.

Tune in for real talk, real tools, and a real reminder that growth is messy—and that's the magic.

Picture Book Recommendations:

a. Emily Snook: The World's Smallest Cook

Author: Laura Bower Illustrator: Rehka Salin

Emily Snook is a whiz in the kitchen. But when she enters an international cooking contest and meets the competition, her hopes of winning deflate like a botched soufflé. Everyone is older, taller and in serious doubt of her cooking capabilities!

A classic underdog story, Emily Snook: The World's Smallest Cook reminds readers of the power of determination and a willingness to take risks. With the encouragement and support of her favorite sous chef - her grandpa - Emily tackles each cooking catastrophe that threatens her chance of winning. From utensils that are too big to counters too high, Emily Snook takes on the challenges of being the tiniest contestant, proving to everyone that being small doesn't mean you can't do it all.

b. Kai Po Che: Mimi's Perfect Kite

Authors: Suhasini Gupta Illustrator: Devika Oza

"Kai Po Che! I've cut the kite!" Mini discovers that flying her own perfect diamond during Makar Sankranti requires equal parts creativity, compassion, and courage in order to truly soar.

It's Makar Sankranti, the Indian festival of kites, and Mini wants to join in the fun. But her older brother insists that flying kites is not for little girls. Using her craft-making skills, Mini constructs her own not-so-perfect kite and learns to fly it with her brother's help. But during Sankranti, it's fair game to cut another kite's string and keep it as your own! When a red kite comes along and causes a KITE-ASTROPHE, Mini decides it's time to challenge the red kite to a battle in the sky. In the end, she discovers that her not-so-perfect kite is really her very own perfect diamond.

Cool Q's For Discussion:

What does "FAIL = First Attempt In Learning" mean to you or your child? How could reframing failure like this change the way you and your family handle

mistakes?

Michelle shared that we don't know what we're capable of unless we try. What's something new your child has tried recently? How did it go?

Which of Michelle's simple at-home strategies stood out to you the most? Have you tried it—or are you planning to? Share how it went!

When was a time your child surprised you with their resilience or growth mindset?

How do you talk about mistakes and trying again in your home?

Drop your go-to phrases, people or routines that help you feel safe to keep trying over and over.

Have a great week everyone!

Keep Leading and Keep Reading,

Tina