Introduction

As educators, it is essential to help our students understand that making mistakes is a natural part of learning. Fostering a growth mindset and encouraging positive self-talk can help students cope with being wrong and build resilience. In this blog post, we will discuss an engaging no-prep activity that promotes self-compassion and acceptance of mistakes, followed by discussion questions, related skills, and next steps for further exploration.

No-Prep Activity: The Mistake Jar

This simple activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and can be easily incorporated into any lesson plan. The goal of the Mistake Jar activity is to help students realize that everyone makes mistakes and that it is a normal part of the learning process.

1. Ask your students to think of a recent mistake they made, either in class or in their personal lives.
2. Have each student write their mistake on a small piece of paper. Assure them that they do not need to share their mistake with the class if they do not feel comfortable.
3. Collect the papers and place them in an empty jar, box, or container. This represents the “Mistake Jar.”
4. Explain to the students that everyone makes mistakes, and it is important to accept them and learn from them, rather than dwelling on them or engaging in negative self-talk.
5. Encourage students to practice positive self-talk when they make a mistake, such as saying, “I can learn from this” or “It’s okay to make mistakes.”

Discussion Questions

1. How did it feel to acknowledge your mistake and place it in the Mistake Jar? Did it help you feel more accepting of the mistake?
2. Why is it important to practice positive self-talk when we make mistakes? How can it help us grow and learn?
3. Can you think of a time when negative self-talk made a situation worse? How could you have handled it differently?
4. How can we support our classmates when they make mistakes or feel down about themselves?
5. Why is it important to create a classroom environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn and grow?

Related Skills

Developing positive self-talk and accepting mistakes are important components of Social-Emotional Learning. Here are some related skills that educators can explore:

• Growth Mindset: Encouraging students to view challenges as opportunities for growth and to embrace the learning process.
• Self-Compassion: Teaching students to treat themselves with kindness and understanding, rather than self-criticism, when they face setbacks or difficulties.
• Resilience: Helping students develop the ability to bounce back from challenges and setbacks, and to maintain a positive outlook.
• Empathy: Encouraging students to understand and share the feelings of others, and to support their classmates when they make mistakes or face challenges.

Next Steps

Interested in learning more about Social-Emotional Learning activities and strategies to help students develop positive self-talk and accept mistakes? Sign up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech, where you will find a wealth of resources to support your students’ social-emotional growth.