Everyone makes mistakes. And while adults know that it’s an important part of learning, growing, and having fun, it can be a struggle for young children to understand how these tough challenges can be helpful experiences. Fortunately, mistakes really can make an outsized impact on children’s emotional and intellectual growth. Flexible thinking is key to helping them remain calm, resilient, and determined in the face of challenges, both big and small. When we encourage them to ask for help, be open to pausing and reflecting on the challenge, and considering different ways to reach a solution we teach kids the skills they need to be problem solvers and positive thinkers. This comes from building our kids’ confidence, practicing perseverance as a family, and normalizing and embracing mistakes when they happen. While parent’s can’t prevent disappointing or distressing things from happening, it’s also important to help kids learn to manage anticipation and expectations, framing mistakes as another tool to help accomplish our goals.
Learn more about why failure, and the ability to learn from our mistakes, can help kids grow up into resilient, happy and healthy adults with the articles, videos, and games below. Then, explore more with Learn Along Bingo sheets full of printable activities and everyday learning ideas for children grades Pre-K to 2!
Jump to article sections:
Learning Valuable Lessons From Making Mistakes
“It’s Okay to Make Mistakes:” How Being Wrong Can Help Us Learn
Grades PreK-K
To preschoolers, getting something wrong often results in frustration, a feeling of failure, and an explosion of big emotions. Use these tips to help your child learn from mistakes, manage their emotions, and use self-control.
Accidents Happen, If You’re Lucky! | The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!
Grades PreK-K
In this fun song from The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!, children learn about planning and carrying out investigations. Nick and Sally learn to keep an open mind about accidents, and all the new discoveries they can lead to!
Making Mistakes is Part of Learning
Grades PreK-3
Making mistakes is part of learning. Here are four reasons why making mistakes can actually be really good for your child. You might find as you read through this list, these strategies work really well for adults too!
“I Can Do It…With a Little Practice”: Learning to Use a Growth Mindset
Grades PreK-3
Practice makes perfect! Using a growth mindset encourages a child to approach a situation or task with the idea that they can learn, practice, and grow. Use these strategies to learn how to guide your child through life’s everyday challenges with positivity and perseverance.
How to Raise a Good Problem-Solver
Grades K-5
Helping children become good problem-solvers from their earliest years is a gift that keeps on giving. The ability to manage their frustration and be persistent in muscling through a challenge will serve them well now and far into the future. Here’s how to support your child’s problem-solving ability.
Games, Activities & More
Donkey’s FroYo Stand
Grades PreK-K
Donkey Hodie is serving frozen yogurt treats to her pals, and she needs help! In this game, children follow steps to complete customers’ orders. As they play, kids practice following a plan and are encouraged to be persistent if things don’t go quite as planned. In the classroom, teachers and students can discuss following a plan, listening and trying again after making a mistake.
Wordsville: The Case of the Failure Fiasco | Let’s Learn
Grades PreK-2
When the word “failure” is torn off Scientist Cosmo’s lab notes, he and others in Wordsville can’t learn from their mistakes! Help Word Detectives Sly and Gabby solve “The Case of the Failure Fiasco” by watching this video from Let’s Learn. Then explore support materials that include discussion questions and writing practice with the word “failure.”
Explore How Making Mistakes Changes an Art Project
Grades PreK-3
Working on an art project like making a robot — or something else — is a fun way to use recyclable materials and help your child learn that making mistakes can transform an art project.
Stu’s Super Stunts Game
Grades K-2
Lyla needs your help teaching Stu new tricks! Stu can do so many surprising things. Experiment with different sequences to see his super stunts at the playground, skate park, and basketball court.
Cognitive Flexibility (Think Differently) | Skillsville
Grades K-2
Learning how to think differently — an executive functioning skill (or success skill) — is essential for adapting, exploring new ideas, and approaching challenges in flexible ways. This video, along with the career role-plays and materials, helps students develop this important skill.
Learn Along Bingo
With Learn Along Bingo, children can view, explore, and play as they learn alongside their PBS KIDS friends on the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel. We hope your family will use it to inspire learning each and every day.
This time, we’re learning that solving problems is important because we are motivated to find solutions and we learn about persistence.
Grades PreK-K
Play & Learn: In this packet, there are printable activities and everyday learning ideas for you and your child to choose from. As you complete each square, mark it off to celebrate the learning!
Grades 1-2
Play & Learn: In this packet, there are printable activities and everyday learning ideas for you and your child to choose from. As you complete each square, mark it off to celebrate the learning!
For even more games and educational resources for young learners, go to the Try, Learn, Try Again: Practicing Perseverance collection on PBS KIDS for Parents.