How do you teach a child it’s ok to make a mistake?

When they make a mistake, you say it’s ok and you try to show them the correct way, if possible. Just lots of reassurance so it’s not like the end of the world. Keep it drama-free, low anxiety.

I always had to make it right. Whether that was a face to face apology or taking back a piece of gum to the store. As long as I made it right and never did it again, it was part of growing up and a one-time mistake.

Our parents do… in the first couple years of our life, teach us to walk and talk.

But the next twenty telling us to sit down and shut up!

I’m not a parent, but I think one thing I would do, especially with children under 5 or 6, is to point out my own mistakes when I make them, explain them, and talk about mistakes in general – we’re all people, it doesn’t make you a bad person, etc.

Just tell them it’s OK. I have 1 grand daughter who berates herself when she makes a mistake. I just take her in my arms and say it’s OK. We all make mistakes.

Let them hear you acknowledge mistakes of your own. When appropriate, apologize to them.

It is a three-step process. As @Jeruba pointed out, it’s important that they see you apologize for your own mistakes but I think it is necessary to point out that when mistakes are made out of boredom or laziness, or indifference, that it’s not the same as an honest mistake. Also being honest is essential.

Also, if they can rectify the mistake they should try to do so.

I say this because I have seen children use the I’m sorry line for every mistake, even when you know it was done purposely. Lets say you ask a child to put their clothing away. and they just stuff it under the bed. They will say, I’m sorry, my mistake
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Parents must also be careful not to break promises and use lame excuses for doing so. Oh, was your event today? Sorry, my mistake. Being honest is important.

I taught my kids that no one is perfect and mistakes are a part of growing and learning but if you continue to do the same exact mistakes then you are not growing and learning. You are purposely learning nothing to use that as an excuse and that kind of behavior will affect your relationships and your own well-being and future employment.

I always told my kids to do their best. I told them that they would make mistakes and that was normal. What they had to do was learn from them and try to not make them again.

Call out your own mistakes. Kids learn from parents. It’s pretty much common sense, but that isn’t to say it isn’t the hardest job you’ll ever have.

A distinction has to be made between deliberately not doing what they are told to do and making a mistake (which might include forgetting what they were supposed to do).

In the first case, it is important to point out why they are supposed to something. They should be encouraged to express any disagreements so that you eventually end up on the same page.

As for making an honest mistake, I go along with what the others have said. In addition, it should be emphasized that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process.