Embracing Mistakes as Moments of Growth

Through the process of trial and error, children develop key life skills; persistence, patience, and prediction. They experience the thrill of getting things “right” and the disappointment of being “wrong,” both of which are essential, everyday parts of learning and growing.

Recently, I visited a classroom with a familiar plan in mind: read Walking Wednesday, then invite the children to co-author and illustrate a classroom story. I had done this many times before and felt confident in the routine. But as soon as I began reading, the children lit up… only not with focus on the story, but with rapid-fire questions and comments about ice cream, dinosaurs, unicorns, and more. Their excitement was tangible and completely off-topic. The teachers looked at me, wide-eyed, with subtle but unmistakable pleas for support. Clearly, this was not a new challenge.

In that moment, I realized I was living my own trial-and-error experience. What I had planned was not working. Continuing with the original plan would have been the real error. Instead, I shifted gears and leaned into what the children were most excited about. By following their interests, we created a rich and joyful learning experience that was far more impactful than the original agenda.

I challenged the children to become authors and illustrators of their own stories. This pivot sparked their creativity and kept both their minds and hands engaged. Drawing, it turns out, is a powerful way for children to explore persistence, imagination, vision, and experimentation. But it also brings up real emotional challenges—frustration, anxiety, and even feelings of defeat. That’s why it’s so important for adults to be thoughtful about the resources we offer and the ways we communicate with children during these moments.

One child wanted her artwork to look a very specific way. After multiple attempts, she grew visibly frustrated, grunting, smudging her paper, and pressing her crayon forcefully as she tried to “fix” her work. As adults, we understand that mistakes are part of both the creative and learning processes. But children need to be taught this.

Through conversation and research, we discovered that dinosaur feet, and their prints, come in many shapes and sizes. When the child realized that her first attempt actually did look like a real dinosaur foot, she relaxed and was able to move on to the next part of her drawing.

Another child set out to draw a unicorn. We looked at reference images online and found a delightful variety of unicorn styles. This discovery empowered her to create her own unique version instead of copying a specific image. Even when she felt frustrated or uncertain, she kept going, starting over when needed, testing new lines on scrap paper, and practicing before committing to her final piece.

This is trial and error. This is learning.

That same child also discovered the beauty of pencils, you can erase and revise. She explored subtle details like eyelashes and other characteristics. Most importantly, she learned that it’s okay to make mistakes, to start again, and to stay true to her own vision.

Children thrive when they are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and take risks. Creative experiences like drawing and storytelling invite children to experiment, adapt, and reflect. When we research alongside children, we validate their ideas, reinforce their self-esteem, and confirm that their predictions often have merit.

Being “wrong” can be hard. But it’s a vital part of learning that nurtures resilience, curiosity, and growth.