Olympians make it look easy, but every one of them practiced thousands of hours,

learned from failures, and got help from others. Use these thought-provoking
quotes to spark growth mindset discussions with your child.

"FALLING IN LIFE IS INEVITABLE - STAYING DOWN IS OPTIONAL."

- CARRIE JOHNSON (KAYAK)

What does she mean by inevitable? (everyone learns through trying and mistakes)
What is the alternative to staying down? (getting up and trying again)

"IF YOU THINK YOU CAN'T YOU WON'T, AND IF YOU THINK YOU
CAN YOU WILL."
- KELLIE WELLS (HURDLES)
Do you think that your thoughts are powerful enough to either hinder or help you?
Do you act as your own cheerleader? Critic? Which is more helpful to your tasks?

"A CHALLENGING TIME IS JUST THAT - A PERIOD OF TIME."

- BETSEY ARMSTRONG (WATER POLO)

What do you think she means? (nothing lasts forever and if you persist you can get
through anything)
Can you remember a challenging time when you thought it would last forever? Did it?

"WINNING DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN BEING FIRST. WINNING MEANS

YOU ARE DOING IT BETTER THAN YOU HAVE EVER DONE BEFORE."
- BONNIE BLAIR (SPEED-SKATER, 5 TIME GOLD MEDALIST)
By Bonnie's definition - what are you winning at today?
Do you agree with her statement?

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"TO WIN, YOU HAVE TO RISK LOSS."
- JEAN-CLAUDE KILLY (SKIER, 3 TIME GOLD MEDALIST)
What happens if you don't risk losing? (you never try)
Why do you think people find losing to be scary or awful?
(because their self-worth is tied to the accomplishment, rather than their efforts)

"THE [OLYMPIC] MOTTO IS FASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER - NOT

FASTEST, HIGHEST, STRONGEST."
- BRONTE BARRATT (SWIMMER AND GOLD MEDALIST)
What does Bronte mean? (it's not about beating others, it's about giving your best effort)
Do you grade your achievements based on how others are doing? On how much
progress you have made?

"NOTHING CAN SUBSTITUTE FOR JUST PLAIN HARD WORK."

- ANDRE AGGASI (TENNIS, GOLD MEDALIST)
Can hard work be enjoyable? (if you see it as getting better, learning more)
What is something that you want to practice, work at, and achieve?

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 5

Olympians' truly incredible accomplishment is developing the mental strength

that got them to the Olympics. Use these examples to help your child learn
about what it takes to achieve great results:

In the four years preparing for the 2012 Olympics, Jessica Ennis (track and field)
spent an estimated 10,000 hours training.

LESSON:
Though they make it look easy, these athletes practice, practice, and practice again.

COACH YOUR CHILD:

"I get frustrated when I don't learn things easily, but I guess that to master something
it really takes constant effort and practice. What would you like to practice and try to
master?".

Germany's Stephan Feck (diver) made a huge back flop during the 2012 Olympics.
He failed to medal after 4 years of training and was a target for international
jokes. And yet, he returned to compete in the 2016 Olympics.

LESSON:
Mistakes and embarrassment shouldn't stop you.

COACH YOUR CHILD:

"I get frustrated when I don't learn things easily, but I guess that to master
something it really "It is so courageous to give something all of your effort. It doesn't
matter if you make a mistake or fail - what is important is not giving up."

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Shaun White (snowboarding) won gold medals in the 2006 and 2010 Olympics. In
2014, he placed 4th, saying of the winner: "He deserves it." He returned to the
Olympics in 2018 to win his third gold medal.

LESSON:
Losing doesn't mean you are a failure. Win AND lose gracefully.

COACH YOUR CHILD:

"I love the rush that comes from winning. However, sometimes despite my best efforts I don't
win. Not winning means I can learn for my next attempt. How do you feel when you don't win?"

Kerri Walsh-Jennings (volleyball) and her partner lost their semifinal match in
2016. She analyzed her performance, determined that she hadn't passed the ball
enough, and returned the next day to help win the bronze.

LESSON:
How you respond to adversity will determine your success.

COACH YOUR CHILD:

"Sometimes when I find something challenging I feel like it's just too hard. But I know that even
if I have to struggle, I will be okay. How do you feel when something gets hard?"

To compete at the Olympics, an athlete relies on help from trainers, nutrition

consultants, consulting physicians, co-athletes training with them, masseuses,
physical therapists, chiropractors, multiple sponsors....

LESSON:
How you respond to adversity will determine your success.

COACH YOUR CHILD:

"Sometimes when I find something challenging I feel like it's just too hard. But I know that even
if I have to struggle, I will be okay. How do you feel when something gets hard?"

The Olympics offer numerous opportunities for teaching

your child about...

PERSEVERANCE ADAPTABILITY GRATITUDE

RESILIENCE GOAL-SETTING TEAMWORK

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 Mindset is everything. Teach it early.
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