Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.
—Mahatma Gandhi
As a protective parent, I have been known to step in and share my personal wisdom in hopes of preventing my girls from making mistakes. My actions, though well-intended, can rob them of a valuable learning experience or life lesson, however.
Unfortunately, today’s culture promotes competitiveness, blame and even embarrassment. Mistakes in school and employment settings can have lasting effects, resulting in a fear of failure. However, in our Montessori schools, we provide opportunities for children to explore, think, discover, create and yes, even to fail; all necessary for true learning to take place. Through making mistakes we learn to question, analyze, solve problems and develop necessary habits of persistence and resilience.
Making mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. To continue a child’s healthy attitude regarding mistakes, we need to allow children the opportunity and time to practice their skills. This takes a great deal of patience and acceptance that the job may not be done the way we would like. We demonstrate a positive attitude toward mistakes by remaining calm, resisting the urge to step in and “help” (when safety is not an issue), and praising our children’s effort (vs the final result). The old saying, “Don’t cry over spilled milk” sums it all up!
