Message from CDA, Ms. Ludwig
Has your child ever brought home a test of some kind with some empty spaces, and you asked, why and they gave a shrug. So, you suggest "if you're not sure about an answer next time, what might you try?" or "How about just taking a wild guess?"
Your child answers with wide eyes, "But what if I get it wrong?"
For some kiddos, worrying about making mistakes can feel as real as being scared of those imaginary monsters under the bed.
And here’s the problem.
This fear can sometimes hold our children back from diving into new adventures or taking on challenges.
So, the big question - how do we encourage our kids to give things a go, even if it might lead to a mistake or two?
Here’s a fun approach:
Introduce "marvelous mistakes" into your family's language. Celebrate them, laugh about them, and show that they're just stepping stones on the path to learning and growing.
Every new mistake is proof that we had the courage to step out and try.
Here’s how you use “marvelous mistakes” in your family:
When you child gets a new spelling list, you can excitedly say, “Wow, these are all new words! This is a challenge for sure. So, I’m expecting some marvelous mistakes from you!”
And if they happen to spell something incorrectly during your practice, you cheer, “High five! That's learning in action!”
You can then have a little chat on how to ace it the next time around.
This week’s guide on, “Overcoming the Fear of Making Mistakes,” includes more information and ideas for learning to embrace mistakes instead of fearing them.
