How did you win today?

This month, we’re focusing on a simple but incredibly powerful question you can ask your child each day:

“How did you win today?” 🏆

It might seem like a small question, but it’s a game-changer for building confidence and fostering a growth mindset. As parents, we often focus on what needs improvement or what didn’t go well. But taking time to reflect on daily wins helps our children see the good in every day, no matter how small.

Let’s dive into why this question is so powerful and how you can start using it to help your child grow.

Why This Question Matters

 It builds Confidence 💪When kids reflect on their wins, they start to recognize their achievements, no matter how small. This daily reflection builds their confidence by reinforcing positive actions and behaviors.

It’s not just about getting the “right” answer or winning in a competitive sense—it’s about acknowledging progress and celebrating effort. Every child needs to feel like they’re making strides, and this question helps them see that they’re growing, step by step.

Shifts Focus from What Went Wrong 

It’s easy to dwell on the challenges or mistakes of the day, but constantly focusing on the negative can undermine a child’s sense of self-worth. By regularly asking your child about their wins, you help them shift their attention to the positives, which strengthens their resilience and helps them view the day as a success, even if things didn’t go perfectly.

Reinforces Positive Behavior 

When kids take time to acknowledge their wins, they’re also reinforcing the behaviors and habits that led to those successes. This creates a natural feedback loop, encouraging them to repeat those positive actions.

How to Ask the Question

To get the most out of this daily reflection, it’s important to ask the question in a way that opens up a meaningful conversation. So here are a few tips:

Ask at the Right Time:

Make it part of your evening routine—at dinner, before bed, or during a car ride. The goal is to create a calm, reflective moment where your child can think about their day. Try to not do it right after you pick them up from school since this is their time to decompress from all the information they have gathered and compartmentalizing all of the events that happened to them during the day at school, with friends and teachers.

Make It Fun

Keep it light-hearted! You could say something like, “Tell me, where did you totally crush it today?” This can make the reflection feel like an exciting part of their day rather than just another question. Make sure when you ask the question you are always paying attention this gives importance to the question and lets your child know that you are listening, and that they are just as important.

 Be Open to Small Wins:

A win doesn’t have to be big! It could be as simple as “I shared my toy with a friend” or “I finished my homework without complaining.” Celebrate these small victories—every little step matters.

What if They Struggle to Find a Win?

There might be days when your child has a hard time identifying a win. That’s okay! The goal is not to force it but to guide them to see the good in their day.

Here are some prompts to help:

• “Did you help someone today?”

• “Did you learn something new?”

• “Did you stick with something even though it was hard?”

The important thing is to help them realize that wins come in many forms—they don’t always have to be about big achievements.

How This Question Supports a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is all about recognizing that effort and persistence lead to improvement over time. By asking your child where they won today, you’re encouraging them to celebrate their efforts and progress, not just the end result.

The Power of Repetition:

When your child regularly reflects on their wins, they begin to associate effort with achievement. Over time, they’ll become more comfortable with challenges because they understand that every small win is part of a bigger journey.

Action Step for Parents

This week, start making “Where did you win today?” part of your daily routine. It’s a simple but effective way to help your child focus on their progress, no matter how small.

Try it tonight, and over time, watch your child’s confidence and resilience grow!

Bonus Tip:

You can use this question for yourself too! At the end of the day, reflect on your own wins as a parent. It’s a great way to model the growth mindset for your child and build your own sense of accomplishment.

Thanks for being part of the Future Way Maker community. Together, let’s celebrate the small wins that lead to big growth!

Stay amazing,

The Future Way Maker Team

P.S. We love hearing from you! If you’ve started using this question with your child, tag us on social media to share your experience.