Today's Tip for Families

12-12-2024

Model a Positive Attitude Toward Mistakes

Your child brought the wrong book home, and now an assignment will be late. Everyone makes mistakes like that from time to time.

When mistakes are viewed negatively, children learn to fear failure. They are less likely to take chances. They may not finish what they start because they fear they won't do it perfectly.

Help your child see mistakes as opportunities to learn and do better instead of failures. Here's how:

• Stay calm when your child makes a mistake. Avoid making critical personal comments about your child.
• Be encouraging. "Don't worry. We all make mistakes. What can we learn from this?" Never say, "I knew that you couldn't do it."
• Focus more attention on things your child does right, rather than on mistakes.
• Stay calm when you make a mistake. Admit it and avoid blaming others. Say what you will do to correct it.
• Thank your child for pointing out a mistake you made in a kind and helpful way. Say it helps you improve.
• Talk about mistakes you made when you were a child. Stress what you learned from them.

Brought to you by:

Candler County School District

[School Success Ideas for Families]

© 2025 The Parent Institute, a Division of PaperClip Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.