I recently read a blog based on education consultant Allison Zmuda’s three ‘Myths That Haunt Students.’ Those being that (1) students see learning that comes quickly as a sign of intelligence and learning that requires effort as a sign of their own lack of ability; (2) that school and life are disconnected; and (3) that learning is an orderly process rather than a messy and ongoing struggle.
Many students think there is something wrong with them if they make mistakes. Teachers can help their students learn that most people make mistakes, sometimes every day, and that great learning can occur from those mistakes. After all, failures or accidents have led to many wonderful inventions--penicillin, champagne, Post-It Notes, and the pacemaker. Amazing.
It is equally amazing when children learn from their mistakes. Many children play electronic games. When they make mistakes, their games end. But they do not give up and quit playing. In fact, they frequently become obsessed with playing the games over and over until they master each and every challenge. That is perseverance.
Part of our jobs as educators (coaches, mentors, parents, friends, etc.) is to create safe zones for making mistakes and inspire the kind of perseverance that results in learning naturally from mistakes.
Failure and mistakes are inevitable. Character and great things are built on what we make of those mistakes. Let’s encourage children to take risks. After all, there are plenty of unrealized dreams, inventions, and discoveries.
Dear Bob, this is a wonderful article setting off a fruitful debate. I wish it gets access to teachers especially the untrained. Parents should also read and internalize this article. We parents often over demand from our children in terms of learning and at the end children get frustrated leading to low esteem and consequently poor performance. We don't give them time and space to explore and learn naturally. Thanks for this article.