Making mistakes are more than just a natural part of life. It is often during these times in which a person will gain the most insight. This can be especially true for a child that must continue to explore and learn about the world around them as they go through the most important stages of mental and emotional development. Here is a look at six invaluable lessons your children can learn from some of the most common mistakes.
Lesson 1. Knowing When to Speak Up
Speaking out of turn is something almost every child is going to struggle with at some point. 
This mistake instills powerful lessons of being polite to others, when it’s important to speak up and when it’s time to give others the chance to speak.
Lesson 2. Some Mistakes Can Have Lasting Consequences
You probably won’t 
have to look very far to learn about a pregnant high school student, a teen posting online an inappropriate picture of themselves or others or some other mistakes.
Use mistakes whether self-imposed or witnessed as opportunities to teach your child their actions have consequences. The consequences can be temporary, short-term, long-term or permanent.
Lesson 3. It’s Okay to Fail
The famous light bulb inventor, Thomas Edison, when questioned about the number of failed experiments with different materials of filaments stated, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Your children need to understand it’s safe to fail. Your children’s fear of failure can make them afraid of answering a question out of fear they may be giving the wrong answer. That same fear can stop your child from asking a question about something they don’t understand out of fear of being considered “dumb.”
Lesson 4. Some Messiness is Okay
There is a huge difference between making a mess and damaging property. Breaking a window may be a serious issue, but some dirt under the fingernails or glitter on the floor is more a sign of a happy childhood than anything.
Lesson 5. Limits and Boundaries
One of the most difficult parts of parenthood is watching a child get hurt, but it is a vital process. Whether it is riding a bike too fast or climbing something they shouldn’t, it is these mistakes that lead to minor cuts and scrapes that teach a child about setting limits and boundaries.
Lesson 6. Actions Affect Others
It can be grabbing a crayon from another child or copying answers during a test, every child is going to learn their actions affect others. By instilling this lesson at an early age, parents can help nurture a child that is more compassionate and thoughtful right from the start.
Real Life Example: Isaac and the Neighbor’s Window
This story comes from All-West Glass Ltd., an Edmonton, Canada company specializing in glass repair. Isaac was an active young kid who seemed to love to spend as much energy he could playing outside. His parents enjoyed watching him make up his games outside and often joined him. His favorite game to play was golf with some youth clubs his dad bought him as a Christmas present.
Isaac’s parents had set up some rules with hitting golf balls in the backyard that would prevent any damage. Eventually the day came when Isaac knocked one out of the yard and into a neighbor’s window. His mother was surprised he managed to hit the ball hard enough to break glass. The family had a big expense to take care of now and both mom and dad had to figure out the best way to discipline Isaac for his mistake.
All-West Glass heard about this story when young Isaac called them up on the phone and explained the situation to them the best way he could. What was most impressive about this story was how the parent’s decided to handle Isaac’s mistake.
Rather than focusing consequences on forcing the child to not make the mistake again,
…they focused the consequences on teaching Isaac how to take responsibility for his mistake.
Mistakes can and will be made, and this is something every parent must accept. It is the cognitive and emotional lessons that children pick up from their mistakes that will make it all worth it in the long run.
The author, Hannah Whittenly, is a freelance writer from Sacramento, California. A mother of two, Hannah enjoys writing on blogs of all niches. Hannah has contributed several articles to Support for Stepdads please check out the following titles:
Five Treehouse Ideas Kids Will Love
Preparing Your Teen to Pass their Driving Test
Five Ways To Get Your Kids Excited About Learning
Please let Hannah know whether you like her article by rating it and leaving a comment. Thank you.
