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The Times of India
The Times of India
Lifestyle
TOI Lifestyle Desk | etimes.in

7 reasons why failing can actually help kids succeed

To our surprise, failure can serve as one of the best teachers, even if no parent enjoys watching their child struggle. Although it's normal to want to shield children from disappointment, letting them fail nurtures growth in ways that continuous success could never. Failure is an essential part of a child's learning process since it builds perseverance and problem-solving skills. Here are all the reasons why parents should accept failure as a necessary step towards their child's success rather than protecting them from every error.

Failing can sometimes make a kid stronger

Children should be taught how to handle disappointments because life isn't always simple. Children who experience failure develop mental strength and the capacity to bounce back from setbacks. Children who are able to adapt will be more ready to handle challenges in their future relationships, careers, and educational settings.

It encourages problem-solving skills

Children feel obligated to consider what went wrong and how they might do better when they fail. This develops originality, flexibility, and self-reliance. They acquire a useful life skill—the ability to assess events, make necessary adjustments, and try again—instead of expecting success right away.

Failure teaches accountability

Children may never understand that their activities have consequences if they never fail. Whether it's studying more for an exam or practicing more for a game, children learn to take responsibility for their choices when they fail. Early exposure to accountability helps children grow up to be more responsible individuals.

It helps kids overcome fear of failure

Children may develop fear of failure if they are constantly shielded from it. They may be afraid to attempt new things, take chances, or leave their comfort zone because of this fear. Children gain confidence in following their goals without fear of making mistakes when they realise that failing isn't the end of the world.

Failure encourages a growth mindset

Psychologist Carol Dweck introduced the concept of a "growth mindset," which means believing that abilities can improve with effort. When kids fail and learn from it, they start seeing challenges as opportunities to grow rather than as roadblocks. This mindset helps them persist through difficulties rather than giving up.

It strengthens emotional intelligence

Children learn how to control emotions like irritation, disappointment, and sadness via dealing with failure. Since they discover that everyone makes errors, it also aids in their development of empathy. These emotional intelligence abilities will help them in both personal and professional relationships and are equally as significant as academic knowledge.

Failure leads to greater success in the long run

Many exceptional people, from athletes to innovators, have experienced multiple setbacks before achieving their objectives. When kids realise that failures are only stepping stones to success, they develop perseverance and resolve. Instead of viewing failure as the end, they begin to see it as an opportunity to improve and achieve even more.

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