Growth Mindset Poems KS2 🌱 | Building Confidence and Resilience Through Poetry
Having a growth mindset means believing that you can improve through practice, effort and perseverance.
It’s about turning “I can’t do this” into “I can’t do this yet!”
Poetry is a brilliant way to explore this with KS2 pupils. It helps children reflect on challenges, celebrate progress and discover that mistakes are just part of learning.
Through Growth Mindset Poems KS2, pupils can:
🌟 Explore confidence and perseverance through rhyme
🎭 Develop performance skills and self-belief
📝 Write about learning, courage and trying again
💬 Celebrate determination and positivity
👉 In my Poetry Days across the UK I help children see that poetry isn’t just about rhyme — it’s about confidence, expression and fun!
I visit over 100 schools every year and I’d love to work with your pupils and teachers.
📅 You can book me for:
In-person Poetry Days across the UK
Online Poetry Workshops (affordable and flexible)
➡ Secure your date here: Poets in Schools – Ian Bland
💡 Why Poetry Builds a Growth Mindset
Poetry lets children play with words, rhythm and imagination — and that freedom encourages risk-taking and resilience.
It’s short enough to feel achievable, but expressive enough to explore big ideas.
When pupils perform poems aloud, they learn that confidence grows with practice — and that every mistake is a step towards success.
🔗 Related: Poems About Feelings KS2 | Kindness Poems KS2
👩🏫 Poem Example 1: Mr Hewitt — The Teacher That Says “You Can Do It!”
by Ian Bland
You can be a chocolate tester you can be a witchdoctor
That guy that hangs out of helicopters
You can be a ballet dancer, a white hat hacker
That TV Amazonian jungle tracker
He says these things day after day
‘YOU CAN DO IT KIDDO!’
That’s what Mr Hewitt says…
You can be a roady an investigator
That guy that’s an FBI negotiator
You can be a lawyer a billionaire investor
Travel the world as a water slide tester
He says these things day after day
‘YOU CAN DO IT KIDDO!’
That’s what Mr Hewitt says…
You can be a worm picker a snake charmer
A sub Saharan apricot farmer
You can be a teddy bear technician a professional sleeper
A modern-day Victorian chimney sweeper
He says these things day after day
‘YOU CAN DO IT KIDDO!’
That’s what Mr Hewitt says…
You can be a face feeler a golf ball diver
A Formula One Grand Prix driver
You can be a sumo wrestler an armpit sniffer
A champion Olympic power lifter
He says these things day after day
‘YOU CAN DO IT KIDDO!’
That’s what Mr Hewitt says…
💡 Activity Ideas
1. Performance Poetry Challenge 🎤
Perform Mr Hewitt with full enthusiasm!
Encourage pupils to shout “YOU CAN DO IT KIDDO!” as a class refrain.
Discuss how repetition and rhythm create motivation and fun.
2. “Dream Jobs” Brainstorm 💼
Ask pupils to think of the funniest or most imaginative jobs they can.
Write their own “Mr Hewitt” verses following your rhyme pattern —
“You can be a … / a … / a … / a …”
Perform in pairs or groups for a light-hearted class showcase.
3. Growth Mindset Discussion
Ask: Why do you think Mr Hewitt keeps saying “You can do it”?
Explore how encouragement and belief help people learn.
Link to real classroom goals — e.g. spelling, sport, or maths challenges.
4. Art & Display Idea 🎨
Create a “You Can Do It Wall” featuring cartoon Mr Hewitts holding motivational speech bubbles.
Each pupil adds their dream job or something they want to get better at.
🔗 Related: Performance Poetry KS2 | Funny Poems KS2
🌱 Poem Example 2: Falling Upwards
by Ian Bland
I used to think that falling’s bad,
It hurt my knees, it made me sad.
But now I know that every fall,
Means next time I can stand up tall.
Each wobble, stumble, bump and trip,
Is part of my apprenticeship!
So when I fail I shout, “Hooray!”
I learned another skill today!
💡 Activity Ideas
1. “Falling Forwards” Writing Workshop ✍️
Ask pupils to describe a time they failed but improved.
They turn their story into a poem or mini-verse using rhyme or free verse.
Emphasise that every mistake teaches something new.
2. Group Performance 🎭
Add movement to the poem: mime falling, dusting off, climbing back up.
Perform to music with groups taking alternate stanzas.
3. Visual Literacy Extension
Children design a motivational poster using a line from the poem — e.g. “Each stumble makes me stronger!”
💪 Poem Example 3: The Mountain Inside Me
by Ian Bland
There’s a mountain inside me I’m learning to climb,
It’s rocky and steep — it will take me some time.
I’ll slip, I’ll slide, I’ll scrape my knee,
But one step higher is victory!
Each stumble is practice, each fall makes me strong,
I’ll rest for a moment — but not for long.
Because mountains are conquered one step at a time,
And the view from the top will be simply sublime.
💡 Activity Ideas
1. Visual Metaphor Workshop 🏔️
Discuss metaphors for learning: mountain, ladder, race, puzzle.
Pupils choose one and write their own stanza beginning “There’s a ____ inside me…”
2. Soundscape Performance
Use percussion or voice effects (wind, heartbeat, climbing sounds).
Perform in groups, building to a dramatic final chorus.
3. PSHE Link
Use this poem in circle time to discuss persistence, teamwork and celebrating success.
🔗 Related: Poems About Friendship Problems KS2 | Poems About Feelings KS2
🧠 Teacher Pedagogy Notes
Curriculum Links:
-
English: Figurative language, rhythm, rhyme and performance.
-
PSHE: Resilience, wellbeing, perseverance, emotional regulation.
-
Spoken Language: Voice, expression and collaborative performance.
-
Art & Design: Symbolic and motivational illustration.
Differentiation:
-
Support: Sentence starters (“I can’t do this yet…”, “Each mistake helps me…”)
-
Challenge: Experiment with metaphor and rhythm.
-
Extension: Combine poetry and art in classroom displays or assemblies.
Cross-Curricular Opportunities:
-
PE: Connect “growth mindset” with sporting effort.
-
Music: Add drumming or clapping rhythms to Mr Hewitt’s refrain.
-
Assemblies: Use these poems for themed weeks on confidence and resilience.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Teaching Growth Mindset Through Poetry KS2 encourages pupils to see effort as exciting, not scary.
Through laughter, rhythm and creativity, they learn that success grows from perseverance.
🌱 Poetry helps children hear their own voice saying, “You can do it!” — just like Mr Hewitt.
📣 Bring Poetry to Life in Your School!
Book a Poetry Day or Online Poetry Workshop and let me inspire your pupils to write poems that build confidence, creativity and resilience.
👉 Find out more about my Poetry Days »
👉 Book an Online Workshop »
