Lesson 207: Talking about mistakes

❤️ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (40 Lessons) • 🟢 A. Understanding Myself

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Objective

I can talk about my mistakes in a safe, kind way. I can say what happened, how I felt, and what I can do to fix or learn from small mistakes.

Materials

Mini-lesson — Everyone makes mistakes

A mistake is something we did or said that we wish had gone different. Everyone makes mistakes, even adults.

Small, everyday mistakes

  • Spilling juice by accident.
  • Forgetting to put something away.
  • Saying a word in a way that hurts a friend's feelings.

Big feelings about mistakes

  • We might feel sad, angry, embarrassed, or worried.
  • Those feelings are normal.
  • We can still choose safe and kind actions.

Talking about mistakes

  • We can tell a trusted adult what happened.
  • We can use words like "I made a mistake." and "I am sorry."
  • We can say what we will try to do next time.

Fixing and learning

  • Sometimes we can fix a mistake (clean up, try again, return something).
  • Sometimes we cannot fully fix it, but we can learn and do better next time.
  • We are still a good person even when we make mistakes.

If a mistake is about safety (someone is hurt, scared, or in danger), children should tell a trusted adult right away. They do not have to keep it a secret.

Picture strip: Mistake, repair, and growth

Guided Practice — Tell the story of a small mistake

You and an adult will choose a small, everyday mistake and talk calmly about it together.

  1. With an adult, think of a safe, small mistake. Examples: spilling something, forgetting to tidy up, saying a word that felt unkind.
  2. On a notebook page, draw three little boxes in a row and label them: "What happened", "Feelings", and "Fix or learn".
  3. In the first box, the child draws a small picture of the mistake. The adult can add a label like "I knocked over the juice."
  4. In the second box, draw a face to show how the child felt (sad, worried, embarrassed) and write or trace one feeling word.
  5. In the third box, think together: "What did we do or what can we do now?" Draw a picture and write or trace a short idea, such as "We cleaned it up and I will walk more slowly next time."
  6. Say a gentle sentence together, such as "Everyone makes mistakes. I can learn and try again."
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: As you trace, say a sentence such as "I can be honest about my mistakes."

Practice — My "I can fix or learn" poster

Use this practice to help your child remember that mistakes can lead to fixing and learning, not just feeling bad.

  1. Turn the page sideways. At the top, write or trace the title "When I make a mistake".
  2. Down the page, draw three big speech bubbles or clouds. In each one, the adult helps the child complete a sentence:
    • "I can say: I am sorry when I…"
    • "I can fix it by…"
    • "Next time I will…"
  3. Inside each bubble, draw a small picture to match the idea (for example, helping clean up, putting toys away, using kind words).
  4. Colour the pictures and add small stars or hearts around the bubbles to show growing and learning.
  5. Read the three sentences aloud together. The adult can model another one, such as "When I make a mistake, I can talk to someone I trust."
  6. Put the poster somewhere your child can see it on days when they feel worried about mistakes, and remind them: "You are learning. Mistakes can help you grow."

Quick Check — Talking about mistakes

Answer each question about mistakes, feelings, and fixing or learning.

1) What is a mistake?

A mistake is something that did not go the way we wanted.

2) Who makes mistakes?

Everyone makes mistakes. No one is perfect.

3) Which sentence is a good way to start talking about a mistake?

"I made a mistake" is an honest way to start talking.

4) You spilled water on the floor. Which is a helpful choice?

Telling an adult and helping clean up is a helpful way to fix the mistake.

5) Which sentence shows learning from a mistake?

Thinking about what to do next time shows learning and growth.

6) You feel scared about a mistake that hurt someone or is about safety. What should you do?

Trusted adults can help with safety problems and big mistakes.

7) Which sentence is kind self-talk after a mistake?

Kind self-talk remembers that you can learn and grow.

8) Which action helps repair a mistake with a friend?

Saying sorry and changing your actions helps repair a mistake.

9) What can you do if you feel too shy to talk about a mistake?

Trusted adults can listen and help when you feel shy or worried.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

The goal is to talk about mistakes safely and use them to learn and grow.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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