They say “it’s human to make mistakes” and you should “learn from your mistakes”.  But did you know, science supports this!

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In a 2018 study, neuroscientists at the California Institute of Technology discovered that mistakes set off an almost instant chain reaction of productive brain activity. Carol Dweck, professor of psychology at Stanford University and the author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, explains: “Every time a student makes a mistake…they grow a synapse…so it’s in the best interests of schools, teachers, and students to make peace with them [mistakes]--or even welcome them.”

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It turns out that we really DO learn more from mistakes than from getting it right. 

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According to mathematical calculations by the world’s most famous physicist Stephen Hawking, “One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist…without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.”

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This means that we evolve, we grow, not by being perfect and doing everything right, but by trying to improve, by learning. This is a good reminder for parents to adjust your aim from teaching your  kids how to do things right, to how they can become skilled at trying and making mistakes! 

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If you’re too focused on them getting it right, then you might push too hard or control too much which can turn them away from continuing to try. 

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Instead, ignite their excitement to learn: to try (as opposed to saying “I can’t”, to do new things that are challenging (as opposed to sticking to familiar predictable things), to be persistent (as opposed to giving up quickly), and to learn from their mistakes (as opposed to feeling bad).

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You see, if your child enjoys the learning experience with you, and if they learn something along the way, they will keep coming back for more. And they will for sure learn faster than if they aren’t enjoying it and trying to get away. 

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This week, when you help your child with a daily routine or a new skill, remind yourself that their mistakes (and yours) are important steps toward learning. 

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I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes.. by Ashleigh Brilliant…that always makes me smile:

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“It’s human to make mistakes and some of us are more human than others.”