Failure, Confidence and Child's environment

The topic of "Failure", discussed in class during the Week 4 reflection, was one I found very interesting. Part of the presentation talked about failure as a means to succeed — that failure helps us learn what does not work. It teaches us to change direction or try again.

This made me think of my seven-year-old son, who has such a strong fear of failure that he often refuses to try something new or break down in frustration if it does not come easily to him. It's as if he can foresee his failure, and once it happens, it may crush his spirit.

This connects to another presentation we had on "Confidence," where we learned that a child praised for effort rather than just the outcome tends to perform better. This is because the teacher has scaffolded a growth mindset in the child. A growth mindset is an important factor in accepting failure, and when a child can fail and try again repeatedly, it builds resilience. In my opinion, both are essential building blocks for future success.

The presentation also mentioned that the number of failures can have a more negative effect than the degree of failure. I agree with this, especially in my son's case, where multiple small failures can demotivate him from pursuing the final goal. Whereas giving him simpler tasks to build confidence, which then motivates him to take on harder challenges, has proven more effective. Digital tools such as websites to practice a skill such as math, typing or language grammar can be a great scaffolding tool to allow small successes to build confidence which would propel him to keep trying.  

However, the presentation did not go into detail about the perception of failure in different environments. I've found that with children, such as my son, when they are given the freedom to fail without judgment from parents, peers, or others in their environment, they feel more comfortable taking risks. The fear of failure is often tied to the culture of the environment the child is in, which is shaped by the mindsets of the adults around them. If adults model a growth mindset and do not view failure negatively, children are more likely to adopt the same attitude.

This reflection made me think deeply about my role as both a parent and a teacher. How can I help build both a growth mindset and resilience in children? I believe my first priority should be to establish a strong relationship with them. Then, I would create a safe space where their experiences of failure are viewed neutrally and without judgment. They would be praised for their effort and reminded of the "not yet" rule.

Finally, I think failure is a topic that deserves wider attention in our diverse community. This means educating families and parents on how to view failure positively and encourage a growth mindset not just in classrooms but also at home.

TasmeaM@OTU