Fail has become a dirty word. None of us set out to fail. It’s not a life plan, a fun way to spend a day or something we brag about. When we fall flat on our faces it wounds our self-confidence and causes embarrassment, but should it?
I listened yesterday to some of our inspiring teachers who talked about the way they are embedding grit, perseverance, tenacity and resilience into their classrooms. When we expect to succeed at everything we try, when success is expected on a first attempt, we set unrealistic expectations. A fear of failure ensures that we play it safe and don’t take risks.
I was delighted to hear teachers talking about teaching students to accept and learn to be comfortable with the struggle of learning. By normalising the struggle associated with learning something new, we teach students to dig deep and push through the discomfort.
When we fail, we are presented with 2 choices: give up, or learn and try again. We want our students to know that learning, real learning, is iterative. That is, each attempt allows us to refine our response and try again.
So how can we help students learn from failure?
A lot has been written about ‘lawnmower parents'. These are parents that mow down any obstacles to ensure their child has a smooth path. However, by removing obstacles, parents inadvertently create children who don’t have experience in coping with challenges and failures. So, let’s leave the mowers in the back yard and instead cheer our kids on from the side-lines, helping them to become strong, independent, capable young people.
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment." Romans 5:3-5
Mrs Deb Cooper
Principal
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