Introduction

In the process of learning, it’s natural for students to make mistakes. It is important for educators to teach their students that making mistakes is a part of the learning process and that no one is perfect. One way to help students cope with making mistakes is to teach them about positive self-talk, which involves encouraging oneself with positive thoughts. In this blog post, we will discuss an activity that requires no preparation or materials, discussion questions, and related skills for helping elementary students learn the value of learning from mistakes and embracing positive self-talk.

No-Prep Activity: The Mistake Game

This activity is designed to help students practice accepting mistakes and using positive self-talk. Here’s how it works:

1. Ask the students to form a circle.
2. Explain that you will be playing a game where the goal is to make mistakes.
3. Start the game by saying a simple sentence, such as “I like apples.”
4. The next student in the circle must repeat the sentence but make a small mistake, such as “I like appples.”
5. Continue around the circle, with each student repeating the sentence while making a different mistake.
6. When a student makes a mistake, the group should cheer and celebrate the mistake.
7. After each round, discuss the importance of embracing mistakes as a part of learning.

This activity helps students understand that making mistakes is normal and should be embraced as an opportunity for growth. It also encourages them to practice positive self-talk, as they celebrate their own and others’ mistakes.

Discussion Questions

1. How did it feel to make mistakes on purpose during the activity? Did you feel more comfortable making mistakes after playing the game?
2. Why is it important to embrace mistakes as a part of learning? How can making mistakes help us grow?
3. Can you think of a time when you made a mistake and learned from it? How did you use positive self-talk to help you cope with the mistake?
4. How can we support our classmates when they make mistakes? What are some ways to encourage positive self-talk in others?
5. Why is it important to practice positive self-talk? How can it help us when we face challenges or make mistakes?

Related Skills

Beyond learning from mistakes and embracing positive self-talk, there are other related skills that can help students develop a growth mindset and resilience. Some of these skills include:

• Growth Mindset: Encourage students to believe that their abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.
• Empathy: Teach students to understand and share the feelings of others, which can help them support their classmates when they make mistakes.
• Resilience: Help students develop the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges, including learning from their mistakes.
• Self-Reflection: Encourage students to reflect on their learning experiences, including their mistakes, to identify areas for improvement and growth.

Next Steps

Teaching students the importance of learning from mistakes and embracing positive self-talk is crucial for their social-emotional development. To access free sample materials related to these skills and others, sign up at Everyday Speech and continue helping your students grow and thrive in their learning journey.