Skip to main content

Why it is important to let children fail:


Did the title of the blog feel absurd?

Think of your life incidence where you actually learned to ride a bicycle on the busy streets of Mumbai without any training wheels. You fell many times, skinned your knees, cut your lip and hurt your ego. But you kept getting up again and again and eventually became comfortable with pedaling. It was an unforgettable experience for you—and similarly don’t you think it’s important that children today have similar life lessons both at home and in school.

We live in a culture that is focused on the success of our children: admission to the "right" schools, the best college, sports teams, and countless other extracurricular activities. All parents want their children to be successful. What we forget or do not know is, ‘failure’ is also an important part of life that helps children to do trial and error and become confident in future endeavors of life.


It turns out that letting kids fail, and fail big, is the best way for them to learn. It's important to remember that it's ok for kids to fall down and make mistakes in life--even big ones--to discover who they are through trial and error. I believe that letting a child learn from his own mistakes is very crucial because it plants the seed of what we all need as human beings: confidence. Without that seed planted, one day they might have everything they've wanted, but ultimately have no idea what to do with it.

‘At school, it is important that children get opportunities to participate in a lot of sports events, debates, poster making events, quiz, etc. so that children get to experience success and failure both during their school-age itself. And when a child fails in any of the events, the parent and the teacher can use this opportunity to make children understand how equally important are the experiences of success as well as failure’ (Saleem, Abdul).

As parents and teachers, we should create an atmosphere in our homes and classrooms whereby the children believe that there is nothing harm in ‘failing’. On one side there is ‘fail’ and on the other side, there is ‘success’. By creating an atmosphere where kids feel comfortable failing, you give them the opportunity to learn without fear of embarrassment. This will help them to succeed in everything that they try.

In a classroom example, if a child is continuously failing in math, a teacher makes him understand where  he is failing in understanding the concept, or where is he missing the concentration, instead of him becoming embarrassed for the reason that he ‘failed.

We should let our children explore and grow in areas that interest them without worrying about what "other people" might think. Children need to be able to explore in an environment where they are allowed to make mistakes because their ability to recover after a mistake is what builds resilience. Building the skills of resilience will serve them well in their adult lives.

Resilience is the ability to withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life events. Resilience is important because it gives people the strength needed to process and overcome hardship. Those lacking resilience get easily overwhelmed and may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms.

So what does this all mean for you as a parent or a teacher? You shouldn’t unnecessarily become your child’s safety net when it comes to failure. You should avoid rescuing your children every time they fall short of a goal because it can have lasting negative effects on their motivation levels and also a negative impact on acquiring new skills in life. Parents and teachers need to stop protecting children and encourage them to fail.

Remember that it's ok for kids to fall down and make mistakes in life--even big ones--to discover who they are through trial and error, and one day become champions of success.

----------------

Source: The above article is auto-generated through copy.ai automated article writing platform, and key inputs are added and edited by CLF.

Popular posts from this blog

Beyond the Classroom Walls: Celebrating Our Group 4 Support Staff

 - "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." - Coretta Scott King In the bustling environment of our school, it's easy to focus on the academic achievements and the visible efforts of our teachers. But today, we want to shine a spotlight on the often-unsung heroes who play a vital role in creating a safe, nurturing, and functional learning space for our students: our incredible support staff. Think about it:  who greets our children with a warm smile and ensures their safety as they enter the school gates? Our security personnel.  Who keeps our classrooms and common areas clean and organized, creating a conducive learning environment? Our dedicated helpers.  Who provides tender care and assistance to our youngest learners? Our compassionate ayahs.  And who ensures our children arrive and depart safely each day? Our reliable drivers. These individuals, often working behind the scenes, contribute signif...

What can my child study other than engineering degree:

Very Thoughtful advice... Just because I am holding a senior position in HR, I have been getting many requests from my relatives, friends, acquaintances, to help their sons or daughters, who have freshly passed out from engineering college, to get job in my company. The number of requests are huge. So many fresh engineers are unemployed, I could hardly helped only few of them to get job in my very successful company or in some other companies where I have contacts. I feel bad to say NO to many of the requests or for those whom I can't help. They get disappointed... I can understand. Parents invest their life time earned money just to see their sons or daughters getting degree in engineering. They think that jobs are easily available for engineers. After interviewing many of them, I can't even tell them that your son or daughter do not even have minimum required technical knowledge. Getting first class or distinction has become so easy without having fundamental knowledge of e...

The Architect Within: Building a Child's Self-Esteem Brick by Brick:

- "Imagine a child, standing at the edge of a vast, unknown world, their eyes filled with a mixture of hope and fear. They long to explore, to create, to achieve, but a tiny voice inside whispers doubts, telling them they're not capable. That voice, the one that shapes their perception of themselves, can either be a gentle guide or a crippling critic. It's the voice of self-esteem, and it holds the power to either ignite their dreams or extinguish them before they even begin. What kind of architect are we helping them become – one of soaring confidence or one of crumbling doubt?" A child's world is a canvas of possibilities, a landscape where dreams take root and aspirations blossom. But navigating this world requires more than just talent or intelligence; it demands a sturdy foundation of self-esteem. That foundation, however, isn't built by external praise alone.  It's shaped from within, by a child's own perception of their ability to achieve in are...

How do children develop sense of self-discipline & self-control:

 - How do children develop sense of self-discipline & self-control, explanation with examples: Children develop self-discipline and self-control gradually over time, through a combination of internal development and external guidance.  It's a process, not an instant switch, and it requires patience and consistency. Here's how it generally works, with examples: 1. Modeling and Observation: Children learn by watching the adults and older children around them.   If they see adults practicing self-control (e.g., waiting patiently in line, managing their emotions calmly), they're more likely to adopt those behaviors. Example:  A parent consistently puts away their phone during dinner and engages in conversation. The child observes this and begins to do the same, even when tempted by their own device. 2. Consistent Boundaries and Expectations: Clear, age-appropriate rules and expectations provide a framework for children to understand what is acceptable behavior. ...

How does too much nagging effect children:

 - Imagine an 8-year-old girl named Lily is getting ready for school. Her mom is constantly reminding her: "Lily, have you brushed your teeth yet?" "Did you pack your lunch? Don't forget your water bottle!" "Hurry up, we're going to be late! Put on your shoes!" "Don't forget your homework!" Lily, feeling overwhelmed and rushed, may: Become distracted:  Forget what she was supposed to do and lose focus. Feel anxious:  Start to worry about making mistakes and disappointing her mom. Resist and argue:  Refuse to do things quickly, leading to a power struggle. Feel overwhelmed:  Feel like she can't do anything right and lose confidence in her ability to get ready for school. This constant pressure can make getting ready for school a stressful experience for Lily. Instead of nagging, her mom could try a more supportive approach, such as: Creating a visual checklist:  Help Lily create a checklist of things she needs to do in the morning,...

School Library suggested list for Indian schools for classes 6th to 10th standard:

  ##  - Book Suggestions for a School Library in India for classes 6-10. Here are some book suggestions, focusing on core subjects and Indian languages, to enrich your school library:  1.  Works by renowned Indian authors in various languages (Hindi, english, regional languages etc.) 2. Language Reference Books:       * Dictionaries (English, Hindi, regional languages)       * Thesauruses       * Grammar books     * English communication books        * Writing guides      * Essay writing books   3. Science:       * Biographies of famous scientists (e.g., Einstein, Curie)       * Books on specific scientific topics (e.g., astronomy, biology, chemistry) 4. Mathematics:       * Mathematical puzzles and brain teasers       * History of mathematics       * Books on the practical applications of mathematic...

Who is Sir Hajee Ismail Sait of Bangalore:

 - Fukhr-ut-Tojjar Sir Hajee Ismail Sait: A Legacy of Business and Philanthropy Fukhr-ut-Tojjar Sir Hajee Ismail Sait (1859-1934) was a prominent Indian businessman, philanthropist, and community leader who left an indelible mark on South India.  He was an Indian banker, businessman and community leader who served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council . Born in Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu, Sait's entrepreneurial journey began early, driven by a strong work ethic and a keen business acumen. A Business Empire Takes Shape Sait's first venture, the "English Warehouse," proved to be a resounding success, catering to the needs of the British community in Bangalore. His entrepreneurial spirit, however, did not limit him to a single venture. He diversified into a wide range of businesses, including mines, and manufacturing units. His astute business decisions saw him rise to become one of the wealthiest merchants in South India. Very quickly, Ismail Sait built on the succ...

Education system in Greece and Rome in ancient times: (In Urdu)-

یونان اور روم میں نظامِ تعلیم ڈاکٹر عرفان حبیب مغربی تعلیم کی تاریخ کا آغاز حضرت عیسیٰؑ سے سیکڑوں برس پہلے، یونانی قوم کی تعلیمی سرگرمیوں سے ہوتا ہے۔ اس تاریخ میں بیسویں صدی کی شروعات تک ایک تسلسل پایا جاتا ہے۔ ابتدائی دور میں یونانی شہری ریاستوں میں رہتے تھے۔ شروع ہی سے ان کے یہاں تعلیم کو بڑی اہمیت دی جاتی تھی۔ اچھے شہری تیار کرنے کے لیے تعلیم ضروری تھی۔ یہ ریاستیں دشمنوں میں گھری ہوئی تھیں اور اکثر اندرونی خطروں کا بھی سامنا کرنا ہوتا تھا۔ اس لیے شہریوں کی اس طرح سے تربیت ضروری تھی کہ وہ اندرونی اور بیرونی خطروں کا اچھی طرح مقابلہ کر سکیں۔ اس یونانی سماج کی بنیاد، غلامی کے نظام پر تھی جس میں غلاموں کی تعداد آزاد شہریوں سے کہیں زیادہ تھی۔ تجارت اور ہاتھ سے کام کرنے کو معیوب سمجھا جاتا تھا اور یہ کام غلاموں سے لیے جاتے تھے، اس لیے شہریوں کو کوئی ٹیکنیکل تعلیم حاصل کرنے کی ضرورت نہیں تھی۔ شہری ریاستیں کئی باتوں میں ایک دوسرے سے مختلف تھیں اور اس لیے ان کے تعلیم کے مقاصد بھی جدا جدا تھے مثلاً سپارٹا اور ایتھنز کے تعلیمی نظام بالکل الگ الگ تھے۔ سپارٹا کے شہری اپنے علاقے می...

What is phonics in english and understanding Hauna phonics system:

HAUNA PHONICS HAUNA phonics is a systematic, child centred approach to teaching literacy skills. Children are taught the sounds of the letters in a specific order. Group 1- s, a, m, n, i, p, t Group 2-r, d, c, k, o, g, l Group 3- b, u, f, h, j, e, q Group 4- v, w, x, y, z,  Group 5- ai, ee, ai, oa, ue Group 6- Ng, ch, th, ah, OO, oo Group 7-ou, oi, or, er, ar After completion of one group of letters, children are taught how to blend and read words. Words that do not follow the phonics principle are named as Comm. words or frequently used words. Children are taught four lists of Comm. words in H3. List 1 I, me, he, be, to, do, no List 2 We, was, has, is, his, so, us List 3 All, go, she, my, are, here, one List 4 The, them, there, those, this, those, that, then, there Click to see video of Sounds of phonics: Further reading: Understanding Phonics of English language: So, what exactly is phonics? Phonics invol...

ಪ್ರೊ. ಕೆ. ಎಸ್. ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ರವರ ಜೀವನ-

- ಪ್ರೊ.  ಕೆ. ಎಸ್. ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ಪ್ರೊ.ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ (5 ಫೆಬ್ರುವರಿ 1936 - 3 ಮೇ 2020) ಕನ್ನಡದ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಸಾಹಿತಿಗಳಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ಅವರ ಪೂರ್ಣ ಹೆಸರು 'ಕೊಕ್ಕರೆಹೊಸಳ್ಳಿ ಶೇಖಹೈದರ ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್'. ಅವರು ಬರೆದ 'ಜೋಗದ ಸಿರಿ ಬೆಳಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತುಂಗೆಯ ತೆನೆ ಬಳುಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ' ಎಂಬ ಪದ್ಯವು ಬಹಳ ಜನಪ್ರಿಯವಾಗಿ ಅವರು ನಿತ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ ಕವಿಯೆಂದೂ ಕರೆಯಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. Image source: Online typing ಜೀವನ- ಪ್ರೊ. ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ದೇವನಹಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಫೆಬ್ರುವರಿ ೫, ೧೯೩೬ ರಲ್ಲಿ ಜನಿಸಿದರು. ೧೯೫೯ ರಲ್ಲಿ ಭೂವಿಜ್ಞಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನಾತಕೋತ್ತರ ಪದವಿ ಪಡೆದರು. ೧೯೯೪ ರ ವರೆಗೆ ವಿವಿಧ ಸರಕಾರಿ ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಧ್ಯಾಪಕ ಹಾಗು ಪ್ರಾಧ್ಯಾಪಕರಾಗಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡಿ ನಿವೃತ್ತರಾದರು.             ಜನನ 5 ಫೆಬ್ರುವರಿ 1936 ದೇವನಹಳ್ಳಿ, ಮೈಸೂರು ಸಂಸ್ಥಾನ, ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷ್ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ              ಮರಣ 3 ಮೇ 2020 (ವಯಸ್ಸು 84)[೧] ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ವೃತ್ತಿ ಸಾಹಿತಿ, ಪ್ರೊಫೆಸರ್ ಭಾಷೆ ಕನ್ನಡ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯತೆ ಭಾರತ ಪ್ರಕಾರ/ಶೈಲಿ Fiction ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಚಳುವಳಿ ನವ್ಯ ಕಾವ್ಯ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಕೆಲಸಗಳು ಮನಸು ಗಾಂಧಿ ಬಜಾರು(1960) ನಿತ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಗಳು ಪದ್ಮಶ್ರೀ (೨೦೦೮), ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ (೧೯೮೧) ಕೆಲವು ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯಗಳು : ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್  ...