A Mistake Doesn’t Have to Undermine a Child’s Confidence

A Mistake Doesn’t Have to Undermine a Child’s Confidence

Even failure can help build confidence when a child has the chance to try again and support with everyday challenges.

Adults sometimes want to protect children from disappointment and take over when a task gets difficult. But a safe attempt that doesn’t go to plan can show a child that things can be put right or handled differently. Help them talk about what happened and think about what to do next, without blame. This way, a mistake needn’t feel like proof that they’re incapable—it can simply be part of learning.

Interested in this topic? Read more: How to Support Children’s Self-Confidence and Everyday Adaptation Want to find out where you stand personally? Take a short test at the end of the page and gain a better understanding.

How does this apply to you? Choose the answers that describe you best:

How do you react when a child makes a mistake while learning something new?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

How do you support a child's independence in decision-making?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

How do you react when a child expresses an opinion that is different from yours?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

How do you support a child's perseverance when solving problems?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

How do you teach a child to deal with emotions during failure?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

How do you encourage a child's creativity in everyday life?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

How do you help a child develop healthy self-esteem?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

How do you show a child that their opinions are important?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

How do you motivate a child to learn and be curious?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

How do you help a child cope with change and new situations?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

Children's Self-Confidence: How to Support It in Daily Life

Get an evaluation of your answers

Enter your email to create an account and link this test to it. After you submit all 10 answers, we’ll show your evaluation on the page and email you a link.