The Role of Failure in Learning

Dec 01, 2020 • Report Cards

The idea of failure can be scary. Getting a failing mark in a test can be a harsh lesson for students, especially if students studied hard and tried their best. 

But while a failing mark can temporarily damage a student’s self-esteem and confidence, in terms of a student’s overall learning journey, failing a test or a project provides a valuable lesson for students.

While it can be unpleasant, failure is a normal part of the learning process. 

In school and life, setbacks happen. When they do, they also present opportunities to try something different the next time!  

It’s OK to Fail

Failure is a part of learning. While the idea of failing can seem scary, it helps students develop learning skills, boost their sense of determination, and build self-esteem. Failure is an opportunity to grow.

While no student wants to get a bad mark, the skills students use to study for a test are, in the long run, more important than the result of a single test. Consistency and effort are habits that help students learn from setbacks and keep going forward.

Being afraid to fail can even impact a student’s willingness to participate in class. But, rather than giving up after a failing mark, students should reframe every failure as a challenge to do better next time! 

Learning that it’s ok to fail and that failure is a normal part of the learning process helps teach students important lessons about perseverance, determination, and effort.

Focus on Effort

When parents and teachers focus on highlighting the effort and determination that students put into their work, rather than focusing on test marks, it helps students become better at overcoming any potential future obstacles they may face.

Despite obstacles and challenges, a willingness to try can increase confidence and lead to healthy self-esteem and better learning attitudes.

“One of the Secrets in Life is to Make Stepping Stones out of Stumbling Blocks.”

― Jack Penn

Failure is Not Final

The pressure to be perfect can damage confidence! Knowing that failure is a normal part of the learning process is key to a positive learning attitude. 

The Takeaway:

Failing is a normal part of learning! 

1. Embrace challenges
2. Learn from mistakes
3. Highlight effort, not results
4. Reframe failures as positives

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